"Tell your man he needn't trouble about a seat for you. I've engaged a compartment where we can talk."
"Well?" he asked, ten minutes later, lowering his newspaper as the train drew out of the station.
"Well, in the first place, it's very good of you to come."
"Oh, as for that . . . You know that if I can ever do you any service—"
"But you can't. It was for your own sake I telegraphed."
"Mine? Is Meriton really burnt to the ground, then? But even that news wouldn't gravely afflict me."
"It isn't—and it would. At any rate, it might now, I hope," said Miss
Sally enigmatically.
He waited for her to continue.
"Your wife's dead!" she said.
She heard him draw a quick breath.