"Damnation!" he said, and turned to put on his coat.




CHAPTER VIII

THE MEETING


The two girls left the billiard-room, shepherded by Fletcher, almost
before the tumult had subsided. It seemed to Dot that he was anxious
about something and desirous to get them away. But Adela was full of
excited comments and refused to be hurried, stopping outside to question
Hill upon a dozen points regarding the game while he stood stiffly
responding, waiting to say good-night.

Dot leaned upon the stair-rail, waiting for her, and eventually Fletcher
drew Adela's attention to the fact.

Adela laughed. "Oh, that's just her way, my dear Fletcher. Some women
were born to wait. Dot does it better than anyone I know."

It was at that moment that Warden came quietly up the passage from the
billiard-room, moving with the lightness of well-knit muscles, and
checked himself at sight of Fletcher.

"I should like a word with you--when you have time," he said.

Adela swooped upon him with effusion. "Mr. Warden! Your play is simply