“How would it be to knock at the governor's door, Walls? He couldn't be annoyed after all this time.”
John Walls was of the opinion that he couldn't, either. Together they made up their minds to beard the lion in his den. They went through the ante-room and knocked gently at Mr. Bechcombe's door. There came no response.
After a moment's pause Mr. Walls applied his knuckles more loudly, again without reply.
He turned to his companion.
“He must have gone out.”
The fact seemed obvious, and yet Spencer hesitated.
“You didn't hear any one moving about when you first knocked?”
“No, I didn't,” responded John Walls, staring at him. “Did you?”
“Well, I expect it was just fancy, because why shouldn't the governor answer if he was there? But I did think I heard a slight sound—a sort of stealthy movement just on the other side of the door,” Spencer said slowly.
“I don't believe you could hear any movement except a pretty loud one through that door,” the other said unbelievingly. “But it is very awkward, Mr. Thompson going out too. I don't know what to do.”