"Rainer! What on earth are you doing here!"
The boy smiled back through his pallor. "What are YOU, I'd like to know?" he retorted; and, scrambling to his feet with a clutch on Faxon's arm, he added gaily: "Well, I've run you down, anyhow!"
Faxon stood confounded, his heart sinking. The lad's face was gray.
"What madness—" he began.
"Yes, it IS. What on earth did you do it for?"
"I? Do what? … Why, I … I was just taking a walk. … I often walk at night. …"
Frank Rainer burst into a laugh. "On such nights? Then you hadn't bolted!"
"Bolted?"
"Because I'd done something to offend you? My uncle thought you had."
Faxon grasped his arm. "Did your uncle send you after me?"