Mrs. Challoner moistened her lips and held herself together with great effort.
"Please don't apologise," she said gently, "I understand. It may be easier for me to have some one whom I've met."
Murgatroyd bowed; and placing a chair for Mrs. Challoner, begged her to be seated.
"If you don't mind, Miriam," spoke up Shirley, "I'll leave you now, but if you need me—call me."
Miriam clutched the girl by the shoulder, and cried excitedly:—
"No, Shirley, stay where you are—I want you here with me!"
Murgatroyd placed a chair for the girl beside that of Mrs. Challoner; he took a seat opposite.
"Mrs. Challoner," he began in a voice that was even more gentle than at any time before, "believe me that I've no desire to give you trouble unnecessarily."
"Please don't apologise," Mrs. Challoner repeated holding fast to Shirley, as though she pinned her faith to that young woman.
"I shall begin at the beginning, Mrs. Challoner," he said. "I suppose, of course, that you have had the report that your husband has been found in Chicago?"