Somehow she felt that his words conveyed much more than was on the surface; neither spoke; it was as if each were occupied with thoughts which would not be denied.
All at once the stillness was broken in a manner which was sufficiently startling; what sounded like the report of a firearm rang through the silent room. The major sprang to his feet. Her face was turned in the direction from which the sound had come.
"What was that?" she asked.
"That was a revolver--someone fired a revolver."
"Where?"
"I should say in the next room; it was certainly very close."
He started to move towards the adjoining apartment. She stopped him. "Where are you going?" He turned to her.
"I'm going to see who fired that shot."
"Let me come with you; don't leave me here--with him. If you let me lean upon your arm, I can get along quite well."
He stood eyeing her, as if in doubt what was the right thing for him to do. His tone was stern, perhaps unconsciously so.