"Oh, no, indeed," Tom replied in an undertone. "I had no idea of disturbing any one. I thought just to look around the house and see if all was well. I am on my way home from the telegraph office. Aunt Margaret thought of an important message which she insisted had to go out to-night."
Dorothy turned toward the library. Scarcely had she rounded the alcove when Tom noticed some one at the top of the stairs.
It was Tavia.
She stood for a moment looking at Tom, then she nodded her head in a friendly way and disappeared as quietly as she had come.
"Awkward," thought Tom, "but any one would know I am here to hear about Ned."
Dorothy was coming back now, and she was smiling.
"Sound asleep," she whispered.
"Good," breathed Tom. "Now I won't keep you another second. Awfully good of you to let me in."
"Not at all," stammered Dorothy. "I was just a little frightened first. I will know better than to light up at midnight again."
"The midnight alarm!" quoted Tom, making his way out. "Don't stand in the draft. It's cold enough. Good-night!"