"Where is Ralph Waring now?"
"I don't know—he went abroad on business."
A little stifled laugh: "Oh, did he?"
Nanna saw that Reynolds suddenly looked up and gave the man a searching look. When he had gone Reynolds went up to the desk. He was too agitated to speak, and Nanna was feeling just the same. At last she managed to say:
"Follow him!" pointing to the door.
Just as he was Reynolds rushed to the door; he looked to the right, he looked to the left, but the questioning customer with his cough and his laugh was out of sight, for the gathering gloom of the chilly autumn night made escape easy.
It might have been a December night the way Reynolds was shivering. "Was it——?" he asked in a hoarse whisper as he returned to the desk.
"Yes," was all her answer. Then, "I must go at once and meet the mistress."
"Let me go."
"No, that would never do. She would wonder what was the matter, and as long as possible we must keep it from her."