CHAPTER XXVIII—SUE DOES NOT SEND FOR PETER
THE familiar person of the Worm came in through the bar, stood in the doorway, looked about with quiet keen eyes—tall, carelessly dressed, sandy of hair but mild and reflective of countenance.
The Worm's eyes rested on Peter. He came across the room.
“Sit down,” said Peter, smiling, his mouth a curving crack in a ghastly face.
“Oh,” said the Worm, “you've heard?”
“Heard what?”
The Worm studied him a moment; then said, not without a touch of grave sympathy, “Tell me, Pete—do you happen to know where Sue is?”
Peter heard this; tried to steady himself and speak in the properly casual tone. He swallowed. Then the words rushed out—low, trembling, all bitterness: “She's up-stairs—with Zanin!”
The Worm turned away. Peter caught his arm. “For God's sake!” he said. “What is it? What do you want of her? If anybody's got to tell her anything, it'll be me!” And he pushed back his chair.