That was rather a slow, careful and deliberate operation, to be submitted to with patience.
Yet Florence was gone! Suddenly it flashed over Constance that Drummond might not be seeking the reward primarily, after all.

His first object might be shielding Preston.

She recollected that Mr.Gibbons had said nothing about Drummond, either one way or the other.

And if he were both shielding Preston and working for the reward, he would care little how much Florence suffered.

He might be playing both ends to serve himself.
She rang the elevator bell.
"Has anybody called at my apartment while I was out ?" she asked.
"Yes'm.