He led me courteously to the door, bowed me out, and shut himself in again, while I went on, trembling and bewildered, towards Mrs. Rayner’s room.
I knocked at the door. At first there was no answer. I called her by name, and begged her to let me in. At last I heard her voice close to the other side of the door.
“What do you want, Miss Christie?”
“May I come in, Mrs. Rayner? I have something to tell you.”
“I can’t let you in. Can you speak through the door?”
“No, no; I must see you. I have something very important to say about Mr. Rayner,” I whispered into the key-hole.
“Is he here?” she faltered.
“No; he has gone to America,” I whispered.
She gave a long shuddering sigh, and then said—
“I—I will let you in.”