As John Steele came downstairs, he realised that these were business hours, but considered himself justified for the first time in his life in filching a few moments from them. He determined to see Sadie, and learn whether or not it was her wish he should at once communicate with her uncle on a matter which did not concern the buying or selling of stock.
Sadie received him in a morning room that was partly library. Her first utterance rang with a tone of imperiousness that was new to him.
“Why have you been shut up with my uncle so long in his study this morning?”
“Because he sent for me.”
“Why did he send for you?”
“To make some arrangements about the future.” Sadie’s blue eyes were scintillating with excitement or anger; the young man could not quite tell which. “What arrangements?” she demanded.
“Well, our conference was strictly confidential, and your uncle asked me not to mention the subject to any one.”
The girl almost stamped her foot.
“You know very well what I mean,” she said. “Did he send for you because of—because of—last night?”
“No, Sadie, he didn’t. To tell the truth, when I received his message this morning I thought perhaps he suspected something last night, and wished to question me, and I assure you I felt very uneasy meeting him before speaking first with you and learning your views upon the matter. However, his conversation was entirely about the railway business, and some new features of it, which arose through Mr. Rockervelt’s visit yesterday.”