As he disappeared, Miss Norvell sank back into the vacated chair, and sat there breathing heavily, her eyes fastened upon the drunken man opposite, her natural coolness and resource slowly emerging from out the haze of disappointment.

Brown could surely be trusted in this emergency, for his interest was only second to her own.

But why had she not told him the entire story before?
Why, when she had opportunity, did she fail to reveal to him Farnham's threats, and warn him against impending danger?
She realized fully now the possible injury wrought by her secrecy.

She felt far too nervous, too intensely anxious, to remain long quiet; her eyes caught the ticking timepiece hanging above the clerk's desk, and noted the hour with a start of surprise.

It was already after two.