I shall not be home for an hour yet." They separated, Edith taking the car.

As soon as she was alone Mrs.
Dinneford quickened her steps, like a person who had been held back from some engagement.

A walk of ten minutes brought her to one of the principal hotels of the city.

Passing in, she went up to a reception-parlor, where she was met by a man who rose from a seat near the windows and advanced to the middle of the room.

He was of low stature, with quick, rather nervous movements, had dark, restless eyes, and wore a heavy black moustache that was liberally sprinkled with gray.