"Did you recognize the voice?" she asked.
I hesitated.
"I was not sure," I said. "It was like your uncle's."
She took the instrument into her hand. What passed between her and the person at the other end I had, of course, no means of telling. All I know was that she said, at short intervals,—"Yes! No! Yes! I promise!" Then she laid the instrument down and looked at me.
"The mystery is solved," she said. "My uncle has met some friends, and stayed with them for a little time to discuss a matter of business. I am sorry to have been so troublesome to you. My anxieties, of course, are at an end now."
I bowed, and moved toward the door.
"If there is anything else that I can do—" I said.
"I shall ask you," she answered, looking at me earnestly. "I shall, indeed."
"My number is 128," I said. "I am two floors above you. Please do not forget to make use of me if you need a friend."
"I shall not forget," she answered softly.