The glass was struck from Pat's hand, and the water-clear contents
streamed into pools and darkening blots over the table and its litter
of papers. She stared unseeingly at the mess, without realizing
that it was Nick who had dashed the draught from her very lips. She
felt neither anger nor relief, but only a numbness, and a sense of
anti-climax. Somewhere below the bell was ringing again, and a door was
resounding to violent blows, but she only continued her bewildered,
questioning gaze.
"I can't let you, Pat!" he muttered, answering her unspoken query.
"But Nick--why?"
"There's somebody at the door, isn't there? Mustn't we find out who?"
"What difference can it make?" she asked wearily.
"I don't know. I want to find out."
"It's that illusion of hope again," she murmured. "That's all it is,
Nick--and it means now that it's all to do over again! The whole thing,
from the beginning--and we were so near--the end!"
"I know," he said miserably. "I know all that, but--" He paused as the
insistent racket below was redoubled. "I'm going to answer that bell,"
he ended.
He moved away from her, vanishing through the room's single door. She
watched his disappearance without moving, but no sooner had he passed
from sight than a curious feeling of fear oppressed her. She cast off
the numbness and languor, and darted after him into the darkness of the
hall.
"Nick!" she called. Somewhere ahead a light flashed on; she saw the
well of a stair-case, and heard his footsteps descending. She followed
in frantic haste, gaining the top step just as the pounding below
ceased. She heard the click of the door, and paused suddenly at the
sound of a familiar voice.
"Where's Pat?" The words drifted up in low, rumbling, ominous tones.
"Dr. Carl!" she shrieked. She ran swiftly down the stairs to Nick's
side, where he stood facing the great figure of the Doctor. "Dr. Carl!
How'd you find me?"
The newcomer gave her a long, narrow-eyed, speculative survey. "I
spent nearly the whole night doing it," he growled at last. "It took
me hours to locate Mueller and get this address from him." He stepped
forward, taking the girl's arm. "Come on!" he said gruffly, without a
glance at Nick standing silently beside her. "I'm taking you home!"