Taking a latch-key from his pocket, he applied it to the door, flung it open, and ushered Celia to a large leather chair in the middle of the room. Then, stepping quickly to the side of the room, he touched a bell, and from it went to the telephone, with an “Excuse me, please, this is necessary,” to the girl, who sat astonished, wondering at the homelikeness of the room and at the “at-homeness” of the man. She had expected to be taken to a hotel. This seemed to be a private apartment with which he was perfectly acquainted. Perhaps it belonged to some friend. But how, after an absence of years, could he remember just where to go, which door and which elevator to take, and how to fit the key with so accustomed a hand? Then her attention was arrested by his voice: “Give me 254 L please,” he said.... “Is this 254 L?... Is Mr. Osborne in?... You say he has _not_ gone to the office yet?... May I speak with him?... Is this Mr. Osborne?... I did not expect you to know my voice.... Yes, sir; just arrived, and all safe so far. Shall I bring it to the house or the office?... The house?... All right, sir. Immediately.... By the way, I am sure Hale and Burke are on my track. They saw me at the station.... To your house?... You will wait until I come?... All right, sir. Yes, immediately.... Sure, I’ll take precaution.... Good-by.” With the closing words came a tap at the door. “Come, Henry,” he answered, as the astonished girl turned toward the door. “Henry, you will go down, please, to the restaurant, and bring up a menu card. This lady will select what she would like to have, and you will serve breakfast for her in this room as soon as possible. I shall be out for perhaps an hour, and, meantime, you will obey any orders she may give you.” He did not introduce her as his wife, but she did not notice the omission. She had suddenly become aware of a strange, distraught haste in his manner, and when he said he was going out alarm seized her, she could not tell why. The man bowed deferentially to his master, looked his admiration and devotion to the lady, waited long enough to say: “I’se mighty glad to see you safe back, sah--” and disappeared to obey orders. Celia turned toward Gordon for an explanation, but he was already at the telephone again: “46!... Is this the Garage?... This is The Harris Apartments.... Can you send Thomas with a closed car to the rear door immediately?... Yes.... No, I want Thomas, and a car that can speed.... Yes, the rear door, _rear_, and at once.... What?... What’s that?... But I _must_.... It’s _official_ business.... Well, I thought so. Hurry them up. Good-by.” He turned and saw her troubled gaze following him with growing fear in her eyes. “What is the matter?” she asked anxiously. “Has something happened?” Just one moment he paused, and, coming toward her, laid his hands on hers tenderly.