Page:Arthur Stringer - Gun Runner.djvu/95

 She moved away from the door, in a listening attitude.

"It was a man," she tried to explain, inadequately. "He frightened me."

"But what man?"

"A stranger—somebody outside."

"You mean that he dared to speak to you?"

There was a moment's silence.

"No," she answered in her low voice. "But it was the shock of seeing him so so unexpectedly."

McKinnon stepped across the cabin and stood near her. His efforts to catch some clearer glimpse of the veiled face were fruitless. She reminded him of a ruffled bird.

"Won't you sit down until you feel better?"

"No, no! I must go! It's so late! I must go!"

But she still hesitated.

"Shall I take you to your cabin?" he ventured.

She showed actual alarm at this.

"Oh, no; that is out of the question. But if you will turn down your lights until I have slipped away"

He snapped out the electrics. He could hear her in the darkness quietly opening the door. She stood there looking out for several moments. "Good-night," she whispered