He escorted her into their house. When he came out again Ilam was descending the steps by the side door. Nothing lay near the door.
“Seen anything of a drunken man?” Carpentaria called out.
“No,” said Ilam, after a pause.
“Not near your door?”
“No. Why?”
“Oh, nothing. Only I thought I saw one.”
“Good night,” growled Ilam, but instead of taking the air he returned abruptly to the house.