Through the door, thus half opened, there might have been seen in the hall two silent and motionless figures, standing guard.
Obviously the persons here present were of importance.

It was equally obvious that they sought no intrusion.

Why, then, in a meeting so private and so serious, should there come a remark upon a topic certainly not a matter of state in the usual acceptance of the term?
Why should the leader have been concerned over the slight matter of a woman's late presence here in Washington?
As though to question his associates, the speaker turned his glance down the long table, where sat figures, indistinct in the gathering gloom.

At his right hand, half in shadow, there showed the bold outlines of a leonine head set upon broad shoulders.

Under cavernous brows, dark eyes looked out with seriousness.