“It would be far more sensible to suspect me than either of them,” she said.
A latch-key turned in the front door, and a moment later young Alfred Carstairs came whistling into the hall.
“Hullo!” he called out, peering in upon them from the dimly lighted hallway. He was shedding his overcoat. “How's the camp, Derrol? Getting into shape?”
“Getting shapelier every minute,” said Derrol Steele, crossing over to shake hands with the youth.
“Where's mother?” inquired Alfred, looking over the officer's shoulder at his cousin, who had not risen.
“Lying down, Alfie. She has been on the go all day. Much beauty is required for this evening. She's giving it a chance to catch her napping.”
“By golly, it's the only thing that ever does catch her napping,” said Alfred warmly. “She's a wonder, Derrol. She'd be a field-marshal if she ever got into the army.”
“I haven't the least doubt of it,” said Captain Steele, smiling. Even as he uttered the jesting words, a strange, uncanny sense of their importance took root in his mind.
Very serious topics were discussed by the guests at Mrs. Carstairs' dinner that evening. No one felt the least restraint, nor the slightest hesitancy in speaking freely of matters that never were mentioned in the open. Questions that could not have been answered outside the most secret recesses of the State department were frankly asked here,—and answered by some one who spoke with authority. No man feared his neighbour, nor his neighbour's wife, for here were assembled only those to whom the Government itself could look with confidence. These were the people on the inside of everything, the spokes of the inner wheel,—the people who knew what was going on in Washington, in London, and in Paris. No alien ears were here to listen, no alien eyes to watch; sanctuary for the true and loyal.
One man there held his tongue, and spoke not of the things that were vital: Captain Derrol Steele. It was not modesty alone that kept him silent in this imposing group, nor the recognition of his own insignificance. He had had his lesson. He was young enough to profit by it.