She ran up the stairs before me, the cloak over her arm, little thinking how significant that cloak was to me. [Pg 45] [Pg 45] I cut myself rather badly while shaving, and I evinced a poor appetite for breakfast. Jim and Mary, especially Jim, saw fit to rally me on that, and on my solemn visage, which was not exactly beautified by the cut. I took myself off as soon after the meal as I decently could, on the plea of getting through with my packing; though I promised to return in the evening to say good-bye. I had remembered my appointment with the old Russian, and was desperately anxious not to be out if he should come. On one point I was determined. I would give no one, not even Mary, so much as a hint of the mysteries that were half-maddening me; at least until I had been able to seek an explanation of them from Anne herself. My man never turned up, nor had he been there while I was absent, as I elicited by a casual inquiry of Jenkins as to whether any one had called. I told him when I returned from the Cayleys that I was going away in the morning, and he came to lend a hand with the packing and clearing up. “No, sir, not a soul’s been; the street door was shut all morning. I’d rather be rung up a dozen times than have bad characters prowling about on the staircase. There’s a lot of wrong ’uns round about Westminster! Seems quieter than usual up here to-day, don’t it, sir? With all the residentials away, except you.” “Why, is Cassavetti away, too?” I asked, looking up. “I think he must be, sir, for I haven’t seen or heard anything of him. But I don’t do for him as I do for you and the other gents. He does for himself, and won’t let me have a key, or the run of his rooms. His [Pg 46]tenancy’s up in a week or two, and a pretty state we shall find ’em in, I expect! We shan’t miss him like we miss you, sir. Shall you be long away this time?” [Pg 46] “Can’t say, Jenkins. It may be one month or six—or forever,” I added, remembering Carson’s fate. “Oh, don’t say that, sir,” remonstrated Jenkins. “I wonder if Mr. Cassavetti is out. I’d like to say good-bye to him,” I resumed presently. “Go up and
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