It was a glorious day for a drive, he need not stay long at Wilkinson's, and the team needed exercise.

Moreover, Sadie was not about and would not come home until afternoon; he might get back before her.

He hesitated for a few minutes and then sent an order to the stable.
At midnight he had not returned, and Sadie sat in the office at the hotel, making futile efforts to fix her attention on a newspaper.

The guests had gone to bed and the building was very quiet, but she had kept the ostler up.

He might be needed and she could trust him not to talk.
At length she heard the sound she listened for.