Page:The Whisper on the Stair by Lyon Mearson (1924).djvu/122

 turned impatiently to the offending instrument, exasperated at being interrupted just at the moment when he was about to think of the best figure of speech of all. But Eddie had retired to a well earned rest and he had to answer the call himself. He picked up the receiver.

It was the hall boy. “There’s a man wants to see you, sir?” came to him over the wires.

“To see me—at this time of night?” queried Val. “What’s he want?”

“I don’t know, sir. He’s a chauffeur and he says he has an important message for you personally.”

“Well, send him in,” directed Val, putting down the receiver.

An important message for him at this time of night! There was only one thing that was important enough to break the night for him, and that was⸺ Why, to be sure, perhaps it was from Jessica! He remembered now he had told her to look to him at any time of the day or night if she needed him. Why, perhaps she was in trouble. He hastened to the door and opened it.

A chauffeur came out of the lobby and hurried to him.

“Mr. Morley?” he asked respectfully.

Val nodded. “You have a message for me?”

“Yes, sir,” replied the chauffeur. “From Miss Pomeroy, sir.”

A warm glow went through Val. She needed him, and she was sending for him. That was good.

She wants you to come right away, sir—my taxi is downstairs,” added the chauffeur.