CHAPTER XV.
An Interview with Pardee
(Tuesday, April 12; 12.30 p. m.)
This piece of news had a profound effect on Markham. As was his habit when agitated, he rose and began pacing back and forth, his hands clasped behind him. Heath, too, though slower to grasp the significance of Vance’s revelation, puffed vigorously on his cigar—an indication that his mind was busy with a difficult adjustment of facts.
Before either had formulated any comment the rear door of the hall opened and light footsteps approached the drawing-room. Belle Dillard, returning from Mrs. Drukker’s, appeared in the archway. Her face was troubled, and letting her eyes rest on Markham, she asked:
“What did you say to Adolph this morning? He’s in an awful state of funk. He’s going about testing all the door-locks and window-catches as if he feared burglars; and he has frightened poor Grete by telling her to be sure to bolt herself in at night.”
“Ah! He has warned Mrs. Menzel, has he?” mused Vance. “Very interestin’.”
The girl’s gaze turned swiftly to him.
“Yes; but he will give me no explanation. He’s excited and mysterious. And the strangest thing about his attitude is that he refuses to go near his mother. . . . What does it mean, Mr. Vance? I feel as though something terrible were impending.”
“I don’t know just what it does mean.” Vance spoke in a low, distressed voice. “And I’m afraid even to try to interpret it. If I should be wrong. . . .” He became silent for a moment. “We must wait and see. To-night perhaps we’ll know.—But there’s no cause for alarm on your part, Miss Dillard.” He smiled comfortingly. “How did you find Mrs. Drukker?”
“She seemed much better. But there’s still something worrying her; and I think it has to do with Adolph, for she talked about him the whole time I was there, and kept asking me if I’d noticed anything unusual in his manner lately.”