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Page 221
would open the door and expose the truth, quick footsteps sounded. Such relief flooded her that she felt weak. Whoever it was, at least she wouldn't be alone.
''Oh, please," she began, but her voice was only a whisper and she found she could not see the approaching person clearly.
The footsteps accelerated. A strong arm slid around her waist. "Linda! What is it?"
"Peter!" This time relief gave strength. "Your aunt," she gasped, gesturing toward the door, which she had released.
Peter demonstrated the depth of his anxiety by the lack of ceremony with which he released Linda, almost thrusting her away as he opened the door. Now that she was not alone, Linda recovered her self-possession. She was right on Peter's heels as he entered the room, and she went down on her knees beside Mrs. Bates, who was lying flat on the floor.
The first thing of which Linda was conscious was that her employer was not dead. The color in her face was normal, and her breathing was light and even. Peter was already at the phone, calling the ship's doctor, and Linda took the older woman's wrist in her fingers. The pulse did not flutter or hesitate. It seemed strong and steady. Linda had little medical knowledge, but it did not seem to her that Mrs. Bates was in any immediate danger.
"Doctor's coming," Peter said, as he came to kneel by his aunt too.
"Good, but I don't think you need to worry,

 
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