She told him the circumstances.
As she commenced to translate the tissue paper messages in a low, tremulous voice, the[pg 294] sound of a door being closed and locked in the room overhead silenced her.
The next instant she had stepped out to the stairs and called:
"Karl!"
There was no reply. Smith came out to the stair-well and listened.
"It is his custom," she whispered, "to lock his door before retiring. That is what we heard."
"Call again."
"He can't hear me. He is in bed."
"Call, all the same."
"Karl!" she cried out in an unsteady voice.