Her first impulse was to call her daughter, but she concluded not to disturb the girl. Instead, she telephoned to Gordon Lockwood, and asked him to come over as soon as he possibly could.
Old Salt took the message, and transmitted it to the secretary.
“What’s the matter over there?” asked Lockwood.
“Don’t know. Mrs. Peyton seemed all on edge, ’s far’s I could judge from her voice—but she only said for you to come over.”
“All right, I’ll go as soon as I can get dressed.”
Once out of doors, Lockwood couldn’t fail to be impressed with the beauty of the morning landscape. One of the most beautiful bits of New England scenery, it was newly lovely in its sheath of ice.
Lockwood’s hasty steps crunched through the crusted snow, and he hurried over to the Waring house.
Ito opened the door for him and Mrs. Peyton met him in the hall.
“Something has happened to Doctor Waring,” she said at once; “he stayed in the study all night.”
“Why? What do you mean?” asked the secretary.
“Just that. His room door is still open, and his bed hasn’t been slept in. Also, Ito says he can see him in the study, through the dining-room window. I—I haven’t looked—”
“Locked! And Doctor Waring still in there?”
“Yes; I think he must have had a stroke—or, something—”
“Nonsense! He’s just asleep. He’s overworked of late, anyway.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re here.” And Mrs. Peyton looked relieved. “You see about it, Mr. Lockwood, won’t you?”
The secretary went first to the study door. He rapped, and then he tried the door, and then rapped again, very loudly. But no response came, and Lockwood returned to the dining-room.
“Can you see through that glass?” he asked in surprise, noting the thick, leaded mosaic of pieces.
“Yes, sir, through this corner,” Ito directed him, and, peering through, Lockwood discerned the figure of John Waring. He sat at his desk, his body fallen slightly forward, and his head drooped on his breast.
“Sound asleep,” said Lockwood, but his tone carried no conviction.
Mrs. Peyton well knew the man’s disinclination to show any emotion, and in spite of his calm, she was almost certain he shared her own belief that John Waring was not merely asleep.
“We must get to him,” Lockwood said, after a moment’s pause. “Can you get through one of these windows, Ito, and unbolt the door?”