The waiters are wondering what this row is about. I
think we'd better take a walk." Runnels dragged his companion out,
trying to calm him as best he could.
In passing through the deserted lobby of the hotel, they saw
Clifford idling about; but they were too much absorbed to wonder
what had kept him up so late. By the clock across the Plaza they
saw it was two hours after midnight as they stepped into the
street; then, finding no coaches in sight, they set out to walk
toward Ancon, both badly in need of the open air.
A moment later Clifford followed them, taking pains to keep at a
distance.
Now that the full import of Cortlandt's accusation had sunk into
his mind, Kirk lapsed into a mood of sullen bitterness. He said
little, but his set face worried his companion, who was loath to
bid him goodnight even when they were close to the Tivoli. After
they had parted Runnels was upon the point of going back and
offering to spend the night with him, but thought better of it.
After all, he reflected, his apprehensions were probably quite
unfounded. Anthony was too sensible a chap to do anything he might
repent of, now that his gust of passion had died down. So he went
on homeward wondering vaguely how Cortlandt would dare to meet his
wife, or, if he really found himself mistaken, how he could ever
summon courage to look his hosts in the face.
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