“It wouldn’t help them. I guess they’ve found that out.”
“I hope so. But I shouldn’t take any chances.”
“No, I won’t,” he returned grimly. And then, “Mr. Markham is here, isn’t he?”
“Yes. He came early. I’ve shown him into Mr. Kenyon’s office as you directed.”
“Very good, Tooker. And I will want you, so please don’t go out.”
“I’m not going out this morning, Mr. Gallatin,” said Tooker, with a grin.
After the chief clerk had disappeared Gallatin walked to the window where he stood for a long while with his hands behind his back, looking out toward the Jersey shore. His thoughts were not pleasant ones. The words of Jane’s recrimination were still ringing in his ears. It was Henry Loring, of course, who had put all that into her head, but he blamed her for the readiness with which she had been willing to condemn him from the first, the facility with which she had been able to turn from him to another.
His idyl had passed.
He turned into the room, brows lowering and jaws set, and went to his desk again. There, at a few moments past eleven, Tooker brought in word that Mr. Leuppold and Mr. Loring were waiting to see him.
“Tell them to wait in the outer office, Tooker,” he said with a gleam in his eye, “that I will be at liberty in a few moments. I’ll ring for you.”