ay from him, flung herself upon the divan, her face in the
pillows, and let down the dam.

This wild sobbing--apparently without any reason terrified Cutty. He
put both hands into his hair, but he drew them out immediately without
retaining any of the thinning gray locks. Done up, both of them; that
was the matter. He longed to console her, but knew not what to say or
how to act. He had not seen a woman weep like this in so many years that
he had forgotten the remedies.

Should he call the nurse? But that would only add to Kitty's
embarrassment, and the nurse would naturally misinterpret the situation.
He couldn't kneel and put his arms round her; and yet it was a situation
that called for arms and endearments. He had sense enough to recognize
that. Molly's girl crying like that, and he able to do nothing! It was
intolerable. But what was she weeping about?

Covering the divan was a fine piece of Bokhara embroidery. He drew this
down over Kitty and tucked her in, turned off the light, and proceeded
to his bedroom.

Kitty's sobs died eventually. There was an occasional hiccup. That, too,
disappeared. To play--or even think of playing--a game like that! She
was despicable. A silly little fool, too, to suppose that so keen a mind
as Cutty's would not see through the artifice! What was happening to her
that she could let such a thought into her head?

By and by she was able to pick up Cutty's narrative and review it. Not a
word about the drums of jeopardy, the mark of the thong round Hawksley's
neck. Hadn't she let him know that she knew the author of that
advertisement offering to buy the drums, no questions asked? Very well,
then; if he would not tell her the truth she would have to find it out
herself.

Meanwhile, Cutty sat on the edge of his bed staring blankly at the
rug, trying to find a pick-up to the emotions that beset him. One thing
issued clearly: He had wanted to kiss the child. He still wanted to kiss
her. Why hadn't he? Unanswerable. It was still unanswerable even when
the pallor of dawn began slowly to absorb the artificial light of his
bed lamp.

CHAPTER XXIII

When Cutty awoke--having had about two hours' sleep--he was instantly
conscious that the zest had gone from the adventure. It had resolved
itself into official business into which he had projected himself
gratuitously; and having assumed the offices of chief factor, he would
have to see the affair through, victim of his own greediness.