Page:The Breath of Scandal (1922).djvu/305



ILLY did not even start to bed until far into the night; for after leaving Clearedge Street he immediately sought Marjorie's father, who was neither at home nor in his club, where he had rooms. Billy waited at the club until after one o'clock and then, considering the possibility that Hale would not return at all, he went to his apartment, set his alarm clock for half-past six and got about an hour's sleep before the bell woke him. Before half-past seven, he was again at the club where Hale was now marked "in." Billy did not send up his name nor did he telephone; he went at once to Hale's door and rapped.

When Hale sleepily called, "What? Who is it?" Billy continued to knock until Hale unlocked the door, when Billy promptly pushed it open and entered. When Hale demanded, "What do you mean by," Billy took the knob from his hand and shut the door.

"I've found Marjorie," he said. "I came here last night and waited till half-past one this morning to tell you so."

Hale retreated slightly. "Where was she?" he asked, coldly, or deliberately making his voice dull.

"She has been living on Clearedge Street."

Hale parted his lips and shut them silently. He had got up in pyjamas and come to the door without even dressing-gown or slippers, expecting—probably—to open the door only a crack to receive a telegram or special delivery letter. His hair, being disheveled,