Steele did not finish the thought in his own mind. His eyes encountered those of the colonel's wife across the table. He saw a sudden, quick catch of breath in her throat; even as he looked the flush faded from her face, and she rose from her seat, her gaze still upon him.
“I—I am not feeling well,” she said. “Will you please excuse me?”
In an instant Nome was at her side, but she turned quickly from him to the colonel, who had risen from his chair.
“Please take me to my room,” she begged. “Then—then you can come back.”
Once more her face turned to Steele. There was a pallor in it now that startled him. For a few moments he stood alone, as Breed and Nome left the table. He listened, and heard the opening and closing of a second door.
Then a footstep, and Nome reappeared.
“By Heaven, but she's a beauty!” he exclaimed. “I tell you, Steele—”
Something in his companion's eyes stopped him. Two red spots burned in Steele's cheeks as he advanced and gripped the other fiercely by the arm.
“Yes, she is pretty—very pretty,” he said quietly, his fingers sinking deeper into Nome's arm. “Get your hat and coat, Nome. I want to see you in the cabin.”
Behind them the door opened and closed again, and Steele shoved past his associate to meet Breed.