"It would be like you to desert her at such a time; but she has all her father's papers, you know, and is not exactly the sort of girl to stand any fooling."
"She can do what she pleases, and so shall I," he answered with a shrug and a sneer. "Anyway, she can't be married on the day after such a thing."
I knew what he meant. He was not afraid of Hagar as he had been of her father. There would be no marriage if he could avoid it.
"Well, I have given you her message, and if you don't intend to go to her, it's your affair not mine"; and I turned on my heel.
"You haven't told me how it happened," he said quickly.
I turned for an instant. "You'll hear it all from the police and will get their theory; and perhaps when you do hear it, you'll take my view that they are all wrong. I told them so to-night."
I just caught his quick glance of consternation at this as I swung round and went off. As I was crossing the hall I looked back and saw him standing leaning against the table in moody thought.
I walked home thinking that the cool air would refresh me after the strain of the night's events. I was worn out and sorely in need of sleep.
My sister was waiting for me with a very worried expression in her eyes.
"I began to fear something had happened again, Paul," she said.