But Lopez had heard of men who had been apparently sober, becoming drunk as soon as they got out into the air.

It might have been so in this case, though Wharton's voice and gait had not been those of a drunken man.

At any rate, he would turn back and look after him; and as he did turn back, he resolved that whatever Wharton might say to him on this night he would not notice.

He was too wise to raise a further impediment to his marriage by quarrelling with Emily's brother.
As soon as he paused he was sure that he heard footsteps behind him which were not those of Everett Wharton.

Indeed, he was sure that he heard the footsteps of more than one person.