Loring shook his head. “Unfortunately she was a married woman.”
“I sort of thought,” went on McKay, “that you and Miss Cameron was—”
“Well, you thought wrongly,” interrupted Loring sharply. “I never expect to see Miss Cameron again.”
There came a ripple of laughter from the doorway, and looking up quickly he saw Jean and her father walk into the office. Behind them stood Baird Radlett.
“What a hospitable form of welcome!” exclaimed Miss Cameron, smiling at him frankly.
For a moment Loring swayed in his chair, then he rose stiffly, as a man in a trance. He stared at Jean with an absorption that was almost rude, as if there were nothing in the universe beyond her. There lay a hint of laughter in the gray depths of her eyes.
“What is the matter?” asked Radlett. “Are you surprised to see us? Didn’t you get my letter?”
“It is probably in to-night’s mail which haven’t opened yet,” answered Loring, still half dazed.
“Mr. Cameron has consented to come and make a report on the property for me,” explained Baird.