Page:Arthur Stringer - The Door of Dread.djvu/270

 few worn toilet articles which he had so recently unpacked. These he deliberately and slowly packed away in the hand-bag. He next looked studiously about the room, to make sure that nothing had been forgotten. Then he put on his coat, took up his hat and the hand-bag and walked toward the door.

Sadie could hear him as he took the key from the lock. She could also hear the door behind her open and close. She did not raise her head, but she was thinking both hard and fast. She knew that within the next minute or two she must reach a decision, and she knew only too well that this decision would be a momentous one in her life. Shindler, the king of dodgers, was making another of his get-aways. Wasn't that, she argued with her unhappy soul, the best thing that could happen to him? And to her? Wouldn't that really make things easier for her? Wouldn't that give her a fighting chance with Wilsnach, the fighting chance that every decent girl ought to have?

She rolled her head to one side. She made sure, as she did so, that the room was empty. Then, as she sat up and stared at the two empty beer glasses, another question came to her. What could she tell