Part 22 (1/2)
”They stared, the office force--there are seven of them. They didn't say a word; they just stared.
”'I say to-day's a holiday,' the old man repeated, 'shut up shop.'”
There was a silence. In it Miss Gleason glanced up--into two eyes smiling out of a blank face. Her own dropped. Simultaneously, also, her ears tinged scarlet.
Darley Roberts laughed a low tolerant laugh at his own expense.
”Still think I wasn't irresponsible--moonstruck--nothing of the kind?”
”No--Mr. Roberts.”
”Wait. After the force had gone, still staring, the old man went back to his desk. He looked up a number in the telephone directory. 'Mr. Herbert?
Roberts, Darley Roberts.--I'd like to see you personally. Yes, at once.
I'm waiting.'”
Again the girl glanced up; something made her. And again she encountered those same eyes smiling out of a masked face.
”The old man waited; ten minutes maybe. He didn't do a thing; just waited. Then events came to pa.s.s.” Once more the little throaty laugh.
”'Mr. Herbert,' he said, 'your house you advertise for sale. How much this morning?'
”Mr. Herbert seemed surprised, distinctly surprised. He was only half through the door at the time.
”'Eighteen thousand dollars. It cost twenty,'--after he's caught his breath.
”'It cost _you_ fifteen even. I've been to some trouble to find out.'
”'You can't know the place, Mr.--Mr. Roberts.'
”'Yes. Top of the hill. Faces east and north. Terra cotta, brick. For reasons you know best it's been vacant for a month now.'
”'You can't know the inside, I mean. It's finished in solid hardwood, every inch.'
”'Yes, I've seen it; oak in front, mahogany in the dining-room, rosewood in the den. I've seen it.'
”'When? I've lived there nine years until just lately. Not in that time.'
”'Yes, during that time. I was at a party there once,--a university party which Mrs. Herbert gave.'
”'All right. Maybe you know.'
”'Unquestionably. I repeat the place cost you fifteen thousand.'
”'The price now is eighteen.'
”'You don't wish to sell--at fifteen?'
”'No.'
”'That's all, then.'