MISS REGAN INQUIRES
173
change in her, it was she who commented upon a disturbance in him.
"What is it?" she asked coolly. "Is anything wrong?"
He endeavored to match her manner. "I am sorry," he said, "if by my precipitateness I have frightened off your friend in the hall. I came here quite alone with you—entirely without making appointments with the police or others here—for the purpose of encouraging you to put into action any plan you had made. Believe me, I am sorry if I have prevented it going further."
She gazed at him fairly. "I don't understand you," she said.
He dismissed the matter. "What progress are you making with the books?" he inquired.
