`` No , it ca n't be him , for I locked him in myself . He walks in his sleep sometimes , and I was afraid he 'd startle my lady . Let him sleep ; this would only excite him and set him to marching again . Follow me , Bedford and James , I 'm not afraid of ghosts or rogues . '' With a face that belied her words Hester led the way to the awful room , and flinging back the curtain resolutely looked in . The bed was empty , but on the pillow was plainly visible the mark of a head and a single scarlet stain , as of blood . At that sight Hester turned pale and caught the butler 's arm , whispering with a shudder , `` Do you remember the night we put him in his coffin , the drop of blood that fell from his white lips ? Sir Richard has been here . '' `` Good Lord , ma'am , do n't say that ! We can never rest in our beds if such things are to happen , '' gasped Bedford , backing to the door . `` It 's no use to look , we 've found all we shall find so go your ways and tell no one of this , '' said the woman in a gloomy tone , and , having assured herself that the windows were fast , Hester locked the room and ordered everyone but Bedford and the housekeeper to bed . `` Do you sit outside my lady 's door till morning , '' she said to the butler , `` and you , Mrs. Price , help me to tend my poor lady , for if I 'm not mistaken this night 's work will bring on the old trouble . '' Morning came , and with it a new alarm ; for , though his door was fast locked and no foothold for even a sparrow outside the window , Paul 's room was empty , and the boy nowhere to be found . Chapter V A HERO Four years had passed , and Lillian was fast blooming into a lovely woman : proud and willful as ever , but very charming , and already a belle in the little world where she still reigned a queen . Owing to her mother 's ill health , she was allowed more freedom than is usually permitted to an English girl of her age ; and , during the season , often went into company with a friend of Lady Trevlyn 's who was chaperoning two young daughters of her own . To the world Lillian seemed a gay , free-hearted girl ; and no one , not even her mother , knew how well she remembered and how much she missed the lost Paul . No tidings of him had ever come , and no trace of him was found after his flight . Nothing was missed , he went without his wages , and no reason could be divined for his departure except the foreign letter . Bedford remembered it , but forgot what postmark it bore , for he had only been able to decipher `` Italy . '' My lady made many inquiries and often spoke of him ; but when month after month passed and no news came , she gave him up , and on Lillian 's account feigned to forget him .
Contrary to XXXXX 's fear , she did not seem the worse for the nocturnal fright , but evidently connected the strange visitor with Paul , or , after a day or two of nervous exhaustion , returned to her usual state of health .
Bedford Hester Italy James Lillian Paul Richard Trevlyn month years