"How is Miss Ruth?" he asked.
"She is better. She had a fairly good night's rest, and her fever has left her."
"I am glad to hear that. I hope there have been no further threats."
"No. Not yet. But I never know at what moment something may happen. It is terrible—terrible, living under a shadow like this."
As she spoke, the telephone bell rang.
"You answer it, Mr. Duvall," she said, turning quickly to the door by which she had entered, and closing it. "I do not think I can stand anything more at present."
Duvall took down the receiver. Someone was asking for Mr. John Bradley.
"This is Mr. Bradley," he said, then suddenly recognized his wife's voice. "Is this you, Richard?" she asked.
"Yes. What is it?"
"If you have time, to-day, come down and see me. I have something I want to tell you. Something important."