Daniel turned to the stout man and his party.
“That's strange, ain't it?” he said in a tone of grave surprise. “I was just thinkin' that myself.”
Then, his cigar smoked to the bitter end, he, too, rose, and, declining the invitations of the stout man and his friends to have something “because he had earned it,” he walked out of the Rathskeller and took the elevator to the third floor.
He opened the door of the room gently and entered on tiptoe, for he thought it likely that Serena was taking a nap. She was not, however; on the contrary, she was very wide awake.
“Where have you been?” she demanded. “I've been waiting and waiting for you.”
Daniel chuckled.
“I've been down below in a place they call the Rat Cellar, or some such name,” he said. “The rats was there, two of 'em, anyhow. And I'd met one of 'em before. I know I have. I wish I could think who he was. A sort of—”
But Serena was not listening.
“Daniel,” she interrupted, “it is all settled. I have made up my mind.”
Her voice was tremulous with excitement. Captain Dan looked at her.