“It’s after midnight now. Probably not for forty-eight hours.”
“By that time, I hope to have the matter solved.” Then his business took him elsewhere, and he strode away.
There was one thing more I could do. It was an obligation, and yet, because it was in the way of service, it was a happiness too. I climbed the broad stairs and stopped at last before Edith’s door.
She called softly in answer to my knock. And in a moment she had opened the door.
She was fully dressed, waiting ready for any call that might be made upon her. And the picture that she made, framed in the doorway, went straight to my heart.
Her eyes were still lustrous with tears, and the high girlish color and the light of happiness was gone from her face. It was wistful, like that of a grief-stricken child. Her voice was changed too, in spite of all her struggle to make it sound the same. And at first I stood helpless, not knowing what to say or do.
“I came—just to see if I could be of any aid—in any way.”
“I don’t think you can,” she answered. “It’s so good of you, though, to remember——”
“There’s no one to notify—no telegrams to send——”
“I don’t think so, yet. We’re not sure yet. Ned, is there any chance for him to be alive——”