As she hurried up the garden path Austin caught a glimpse of her face, and observed that it was white and drawn.
"What's the matter with my estimable landlady ?" he murmured as he withdrew from the window.
His quick intelligence, playing round this incident and seeking to pierce its meaning, grew alarmed.

There seemed to be a menace in it.

Did she know or guess something of the hidden events of that night, or had she played the spy since?
He turned pale as he considered these possibilities.

Women had an unerring instinct for a secret once their curiosity was aroused.
But he had been careful, very careful.

What did she suspect?
He thought over this problem until night fell, and retired to bed with it still unanswered.
But the solution flashed into his mind at breakfast next morning, suddenly, like light in a dark place.