"We'll go there all right." It was still hard for him to control his breathing. "We'll get it back."
"But I must start for Hempnell soon. My clothes were ruined by the water. I must have the maid clean and press them."
With a slow, even movement she got to her feet and started toward the phone.
"But, Tansy," he objected involuntarily. "It's three in the morning. You can't get a maid now."
"But my clothes must be cleaned and pressed. I must start for Hempnell soon."
The words might have been those of an obstinate woman, sulky and selfish. But they had less tone that a sleepwalker's.
She kept on toward the phone. Although he did not anticipate that he would do it, he shrank out of her way, pressing close against the side of the bed.
"But even if there is a maid," he said, "she won't come at this hour."
The pallid face turned toward him incuriously. "The maid will be a woman." It was a little while before he got the implication of the words. "She will come when she hears me."
Then she was talking to the night clerk. "Is there a maid in the hotel?... Send her to my room.... Then ring her.... I cannot wait until morning.... I need her at once.... I cannot tell you the reason.... Thank you."