"Why don't you fill out your check?" he continued, observing that I was
standing idly by the table, my mouth open in astonishment.
"Shall I put down a thousand?" I asked, not knowing what to say.
"Yes, and two of them, if you wish. I really don't care."
I filled out the cheek for an even thousand, not being able to overcome
my horror at the thought of a larger figure, for notwithstanding all the
evidence to the contrary, I was unable to overcome a certain fear that
the check might be refused. I showed it to Torrence, whose only remark
was that he couldn't see why I had not doubled it. I was determined to
save this much for a rainy day, and resolved to go at once to the
banker's when my brother had gone back to Gravesend and cash it. I also
determined to find out, if possible something about his affairs, as the
mystery of all this sudden wealth was preying on my mind. I had quite
relinquished the hope of learning anything from Torrence himself, and
should now apply to other sources.
That night we retired early, as my brother said he was fatigued with the
work of the day, and not knowing what else to do, I followed his
example, fully resolved to cash my check and investigate matters on the
morrow.
After a couple of hours of restlessness, and finding it impossible to
sleep, I got up to go into the adjoining room for a glass of water. I
did not take a light, knowing exactly where to find it, but imagine my
surprise, when half-way across the floor of our _salon_, at seeing thet
the light in my brother's room was still burning brightly and shining
through the keyhole and under the bottom of the door. Scarcely had I
observed this, when I caught the sound of low voices issuing from the
room, as of two people talking in an undertone. I stepped noiselessly
up to the door and listened.
"There is no danger; he is asleep!" said one of the voices, which I
thought was Torry's; and then some whispering followed, impossible to
understand. At this moment a horrid thought flashed upon me. Had
Torrence embarked in any crime, which he was trying to conceal? The
mere suspicion sickened me. I could not believe it.
"It's for you to say," remarked the other; "for my part, I don't care a
damn who knows it, provided the news don't come from me. Now look at
this."