“Mother——”

“Mother won’t hear us, for she is lying down overhead. Come with me. I didn’t know you were in the house.”

“I just came in.”

“Good.”

The pair left the library and crossed the hall to the darkened parlor, where Opal turned suddenly on her brother.

“Have you done it yet?” she asked.

Claude started in spite of himself.

“Done what?”

“You know. I happened to overhear you and father. Have you finished him?”

“I don’t understand you?”