By-and-by she heard him sigh, then rise and say "Good-
night."
As she prepared for bed an hour later she heard him still stirring
about in his quarters, but afterward, as she lay staring into the
black night, she was so busied with the frightful fancies that
swarmed about her that she did not detect his cautious footsteps
when he stole out of his chamber, closing the door softly behind
him.
XXVIII
THE ANSWER
Kirk was roused from a heavy, senseless slumber the next morning
by a vigorous rapping at his door. He lay still for a time,
vaguely resentful of the noise, then glanced at his watch, and
found, with a shock, that it was quite late. Realizing only that
he was due at the office, he leaped out of bed. He opened the door
and Runnels rushed in.
"Have you heard?"
"I heard your infernal pounding; that's what woke me up."
Runnels calmed his excitement, which Kirk now observed was
intense.
"Where did you go after I left you last night?"
"I came here, of course." As the memory of the previous night
swept over him he scowled.
"Did you stay here?"
"No. I went out again, and was out nearly all night trying to walk
it off."
Runnels' face blanched, and he drew back.
"Then of course you know?"
"What?"
"About Cortlandt.
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