When the sound of his quick, nervous footsteps had died away down the corridor, Ross handed the check to Betty. It was made out for fifty dollars and signed by the secretary of the Egyptological Society. Murmuring a conventional expression of thanks, the girl placed it in her handbag and rose.
"Would you care to undertake some more translation immediately?" the young man asked, opening the drawer tentatively.
"I should, very much," Betty responded, her eyes alight with eagerness.
"In that case, it will be necessary for me to have your present address, Miss Shaw." There was no mistaking the businesslike finality in his tone, and Betty hesitated. If she refused, she would not only forfeit the translating which was a fascinating study, but she might never again see this young man, her only link with the world beyond Mrs. Atterbury's forbidding gates. On the other hand, her reticence would undoubtedly arouse his curiosity and suspicion and if he were sufficiently interested, he might institute awkward inquiries and precipitate the very crisis she sought to avoid. Would frankness be her wisest course? She hesitated only a moment.
"Mr. Ross, I gave you the address of my boarding house because I have undertaken this translation unknown to my present employer. I work at it only in my leisure hours, but I do not think she would approve of my doing anything which lay outside of her own immediate interests. She is Mrs. Atterbury, of Three Hundred and Thirty-five North Drive. However, I should like all communications sent to the first address I gave you."
Herbert Ross drew his hand quickly across his forehead and there was an odd, repressed note in his voice.
"I quite understand. You will remain for some little time in your present position? I believe you said it was temporary."
"I—I cannot tell." Betty's tone was very low and her eyes wandered restlessly to the door. "I shall have finished this translation, at any rate, before I leave."
"Very well." He arose and held out his hand to her. "Bring it to me, please, when it is completed. The terms will be the same as before. I wish you the best of luck with it, Miss Shaw."
When she had gone he dropped back into his chair and sat for some minutes lost in a profound reverie which, judging by his frown, was not a happy one. At length he struck the desk an emphatic blow with his fist as if to register some vital decisions and springing to his feet, he started precipitately for the sanctum of Professor Carmody.