“Don’t know. Mrs. Peyton seemed all on edge, ’s far’s I could judge from her voice—but she only said for you to come over.”
“All right, I’ll go as soon as I can get dressed.”
Once out of doors, Lockwood couldn’t fail to be impressed with the beauty of the morning landscape. One of the most beautiful bits of New England scenery, it was newly lovely in its sheath of ice.
Lockwood’s hasty steps crunched through the crusted snow, and he hurried over to the Waring house.
Ito opened the door for him and Mrs. Peyton met him in the hall.
“Something has happened to Doctor Waring,” she said at once; “he stayed in the study all night.”
“Why? What do you mean?” asked the secretary.
“Just that. His room door is still open, and his bed hasn’t been slept in. Also, Ito says he can see him in the study, through the dining-room window. I—I haven’t looked—”
“Why don’t you go in?”
“The study door is locked.”