Mrs. Bloodgood had taken her seat apart, staring ahead as though by a difficult process of mental control, for at times her glance, despite the consciousness of her husband's espionage, flashed over to where Majendie was impatiently following the movements of the clock.
When Garraboy's search had ended, he followed the precedent of Slade, bowed without speaking, and departed; while Bloodgood, guarding the same silence, passed into the dining-room. Maud Lille succeeded Mrs. Cheever, who returned in the same state of agitation that she had shown from the beginning. She started to approach her husband, when Mrs. Kildair's controlled voice was heard:
"Not there, please, Mrs. Cheever. Kindly sit at this side of the room with Mrs. Bloodgood."
Mrs. Cheever flushed instantly, and sank, or rather collapsed, in the chair which had been indicated.
All at once there came another ring, followed by two or three impatient taps on the outer door. There was a sudden stir in the room, where all nerves were clearly on the edge, and Mrs. Cheever gave a little scream.
"I'll answer," said Cheever, rising.
"Wait," said Mrs. Kildair. She started toward the door, and then, changing her mind, as if unwilling to relax her surveillance of events in the studio, stopped. "Mr. Beecher, please," she said thoughtfully. "See who it is." And she moved slightly toward the half-drawn portières, to hear and at the same time to be concealed.
Garraboy was outside, a coat on his arm.
"Excuse me," he said, without emotion. "I took the wrong coat. Stupid of me. Just found it out."
"It looks like mine," said Beecher, examining it.