s working. That view
flashed through my mind, but I could not doubt that Miss Haldin had had
an atrocious time of it. I quite understood when she said that she could
not face the night upon the impression of that scene. Mrs. Haldin
had given way to most awful imaginings, to most fantastic and cruel
suspicions. All this had to be lulled at all costs and without loss of
time. It was no shock to me to learn that Miss Haldin had said to her,
"I will go and bring him here at once." There was nothing absurd in that
cry, no exaggeration of sentiment. I was not even doubtful in my "Very
well, but how?"

It was perfectly right that she should think of me, but what could I do
in my ignorance of Mr. Razumov's quarters.

"And to think he may be living near by, within a stone's-throw,
perhaps!" she exclaimed.

I doubted it; but I would have gone off cheerfully to fetch him from the
other end of Geneva. I suppose she was certain of my readiness, since
her first thought was to come to me. But the service she meant to ask of
me really was to accompany her to the Chateau Borel.

I had an unpleasant mental vision of the dark road, of the sombre
grounds, and the desolately suspicious aspect of that home of necromancy
and intrigue and feminist adoration. I objected that Madame de S-- most
likely would know nothing of what we wanted to find out. Neither did I
think it likely that the young man would be found there. I remembered
my glimpse of his face, and somehow gained the conviction that a man who
looked worse than if he had seen the dead would want to shut himself up
somewhere where he could be alone. I felt a strange certitude that Mr.
Razumov was going home when I saw him.

"It is really of Peter Ivanovitch that I was thinking," said Miss Haldin
quietly.

Ah! He, of course, would know. I looked at my watch. It was twenty
minutes past nine only.... Still.

"I would try his hotel, then," I advised. "He has rooms at the
Cosmopolitan, somewhere on the top floor."

I did not offer to go by myself, simply from mistrust of the reception I
should meet with. But I suggested the faithful Anna, with a note asking
for the information.

Anna was still waiting by the door at the other end of the room, and we
two discussed the matter in whispers. Miss Haldin thought she must go
herself. Anna was timid and slow. Time would be lost in bringing back
the answer, and from that point of view it was getting late, for it was
by no means certain t