The door handle yielded to his touch when he tried it, and he walked in.
The little old woman at the table made a sudden movement at his appearance, but he gave her a reassuring smile and nod.

She sat quite still, with a look of fear in her eyes.

Above his head he heard someone moving in the study.
"Your husband is upstairs ?" he asked in a voice which was little more than a whisper.

"I want to see him--I am going up to him." He did not wait for her to reply, and she watched him out of the room with staring eyes.

Stealthily he directed his steps to the staircase, and with infinite precautions for silence commenced to ascend.