Voices in the hallway outside, footsteps on the uncarpeted floor interrupted Rogers in his exposition. The door opened and Jerry Towne entered, tiptoed to Harris Garvey’s desk and bent down to whisper in the superintendent’s ear. The latter listened closely, then glanced up at Rogers sitting on the edge of the desk.
“Did you hear, Professor? Mrs. Downes is outside. Shall we ask her to wait until you’re through?”
“Why not let her come in?”
“All right, Jerry. Bring her in.”
We waited while the rosy-cheeked ranger walked to the door and escorted Mrs. Downes into the office. Otis Barton placed a chair for her and she sat down.
“I hope I am not interrupting anything,” she said calmly. There was no trace of emotion in her manner or even in her voice. “Ruth is over at the infirmary waiting t
