Arthur signed the receipt, took his papers, and went out in dead silence. He followed Enrico to the massive gate; and, without a word of farewell, descended to the water's edge, where a ferryman was waiting to take him across the moat. As he mounted the stone steps leading to the street, a girl in a cotton dress and straw hat ran up to him with outstretched hands.
“Arthur! Oh, I'm so glad—I'm so glad!”
He drew his hands away, shivering.
“Jim!” he said at last, in a voice that did not seem to belong to him. “Jim!”
“I've been waiting here for half an hour. They said you would come out at four. Arthur, why do you look at me like that? Something has happened! Arthur, what has come to you? Stop!”
He had turned away, and was walking slowly down the street, as if he had forgotten her presence. Thoroughly frightened at his manner, she ran after him and caught him by the arm.
“Arthur!”
He stopped and looked up with bewildered eyes. She slipped her arm through his, and they walked on again for a moment in silence.
“Listen, dear,” she began softly; “you mustn't get so upset over this wretched business. I know it's dreadfully hard on you, but everybody understands.”
“What business?” he asked in the same dull voice.