Hadn't I got to hurry her? If Jack made a quick trip he'd be back in town between two and three and he'd come as straight as wheels could take him to her door.
"Yes, I'll go," she said.
"Now," I urged, "as soon as you can get into your coat and hat. Don't bother about this," I pointed to the disorder round us—"They'll think you've had another message from Barker and gone to him."
A curious, slight smile came over her face.
"Yes," she said, "that's what they will think, I suppose."
"Of course it is, and they'll waste time looking for him which'll give you a good start. If there's no train now to the place you're going to, sit in the depot, ride round in a taxi, walk up and down Fifth Avenue, only get out of this place."
"I'll be gone in half an hour," she said, and moved between the trunks and piled up clothes to the bedroom beyond. I followed her and saw into the room, all confusion like the others, every gas in the chandelier blazing.
"Can I help you?" I said. "Can I pack a suitcase or anything?"
"No—" she halted in front of the mirror, letting the kimono slide off her to the floor, her arms and neck like shining marble under that blaze of light. "I'll only want a few things. There's a bag there I can throw them into. You'd better go now."
I was afraid she'd not be as quick as I wanted but I couldn't hang round urging any more after she'd told me to go. Besides I could see she was hurrying, grabbing a dress from the bed and getting into it so swiftly even I was satisfied.