"I heard a voice. Whose it was, I cannot say."
There was another pause; then he turned to Miss Corbin.
"At all events," said he, smoothly, "I should like to speak to him."
She arose a trifle unsteady.
"I am sorry," she said in a low voice, "but I am afraid that is impossible, just now."
"Impossible?"
"He is not here—he has gone away."
"Gone away!" It was old Nanon's voice, and it was pitched a shade higher than usual. She took a step toward the girl, the thick gray brows bent over the sharp-sighted eyes. "Where has he gone? Why did he go?"
The girl did not reply; she put her hands to her face, and the secret agent as he looked at her saw that she shivered as though struck with a chill.