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diff --git a/12357-0.txt b/12357-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a17ab99 --- /dev/null +++ b/12357-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7694 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12357 *** + + THE CASE AND THE GIRL + + BY RANDALL PARRISH + + 1922 + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER + + + I THE LADY IN THE LIMOUSINE + + II A SUDDEN ENGAGEMENT + + III THE COOLIDGE HOME + + IV MISS COOLIDGE EXPLAINS + + V WEST WINS THE FIRST HAND + + VI UNTANGLING THREADS + + VII A VISIT TO THE INDIGENT + + VIII A NEW MISS COOLIDGE + + IX AN UNEXPECTED DISMISSAL + + X THE BODY OF A SUICIDE + + XI SUSPICION VERIFIED + + XII AGAINST A STONE WALL + + XIII 238 WRAY STREET + + XIV TRAPPED + + XV THE EDGE OF COMPROMISE + + XVI WEST MAKES HIS CHOICE + + XVII FACING DEATH + + XVIII UNDER COVER + + XIX THE COMING OF A MESSAGE + + XX WHAT THE TELEPHONE TOLD + + XXI THE YACHT "SEMINOLE" + + XXII KIDNAPPED + + XXIII THE FATE OF A PRISONER + + XXIV THE SINKING YACHT + + XXV FREE OF THE YACHT + + XXVI THE COMING OF DAWN + + XXVII LOVE BREAKS SILENCE + +XXVIII AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT + + XXIX THE HOUSE IN THE BLUFFS + + XXX HOBART FORGETS AND TALKS + + XXXI McADAMS BLOWS IN + + XXXII A BRIDGE OF LOVE + + + + +THE CASE AND THE GIRL + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE LADY IN THE LIMOUSINE + + +West, still attired in khaki uniform, but wearing the red chevron of +honourable discharge on his left sleeve, sat in the Club writing room, +his feet comfortably elevated, endeavouring to extract some entertainment +from the evening paper. The news was not particularly interesting, +however, and finally, obsessed with the feeling that it would soon be +time for him to seriously contemplate the procuring of suitable +employment, the young man turned the sheet about rather idly, and ran his +eyes down the columns devoted to classified advertising. + +Half way down the first column, under the head of "miscellaneous," he +paused and read a paragraph with some interest; then read it over again, +emitting a soft whistle between his teeth. + +"Well, by Jove!" he said to himself slowly, "That doesn't sound so bad +either; out of the ordinary, at least. Say, Thompson," and he turned to +a tall young fellow busily writing at the adjoining desk, and shoved the +paper under his eyes, pointing at the paragraph which had attracted +attention, with one finger, "What do you make out of that, old man?" + +The other, rather sober-faced, and slow of speech, read the advertisement +word by word, with no change of expression. + +"Rot," he said solemnly. "Either a joke, or some scheme on. Why? +interested in it?" + +"In a measure, yes. Sounds rather business-like to me. I've got a good +mind to answer, and take a chance." + +"You're a fool if you do, Matt," decisively, and turning back to his +writing. "That is some game being pulled off, and the first thing you +know, you'll be in bad. Likely as not it means blackmail. Besides there +is no address." + +"That's one thing I like about it," retorted the other. "They are in +earnest, and taking no chances of having their purpose guessed at. There +is a way to reach them, if the one answering is sufficiently in earnest. +By Jove, I don't see how any one can get in bad, merely by finding out +what it all means." + +"Well, do as you please; you would anyhow. Only you have my advice." + +West read the item again. He had been eighteen months in France, and his +discharge from the army had left him bored and dissatisfied with the dull +routine of civil life. He dreaded to get back into the harness of a +prosaic existence; even his profession as a civil engineer had someway +lost its charm. He had tasted the joy of adventure, the thrill of danger, +and it was still alluring. This advertisement promised a mystery which +strangely attracted his imagination. + +_"Wanted: Young man of education and daring for service involving some +personal peril. Good pay, and unusual reward if successful. May have to +leave city. Purpose disclosed only in personal interview."_ + +As Thompson had pointed out, this was not signed, nor any address given. + +West crossed over to an unoccupied desk, and wrote a reply, changing the +wording several times, and finally making a clean copy. Thompson glanced +across at him, but said nothing. The answer read: + +_"To Advertiser: Am 26; late captain of Engineers; University graduate +adventurous disposition. Would be glad to consider your proposition. +Address, Box 57, University Club."_ + +He placed this in an envelope, called a Club messenger, and, handing the +boy a sum of money, sent him over to the newspaper office. + +Two days elapsed before an answer appeared in his box; a small envelope, +addressed in a lady's handwriting apparently, and mailed from one of the +sub-postoffices. West tore it open rather eagerly, and read the contents +with surprise. The words within had been written by the same hand which +appeared upon the envelope, but the language used gave him no clue to the +purpose of the writer. The brief note read: + +"Box 57 University Club. + +"Your answer to advertisement makes a good impression, and I am willing +to put you to the further test of a personal meeting. If you are in +earnest in this matter, and quite prepared to assume the necessary risk, +you will be at the north-west corner of Spaulding Park at 5:30 to-morrow +afternoon. Do not come in uniform, but it will be well to bring evening +clothes in a bag. Be sure of yourself, and be prompt. + +"Very truly yours, + +"The Advertiser." + +West read this over, again and again, smoking furiously, and endeavouring +to weigh each word. He saw Thompson in the other room, but decided not to +submit the epistle to his criticism. The letter sounded honest and +sincere; the writer evidently had a purpose in view, and was selecting +an agent with great care and secrecy. No hint as to what that object was +would be revealed blindly--he must be tried in every way first; +thoroughly tested as to both character and courage. Undoubtedly steps had +already been taken to do this. The delay in reply would have afforded +opportunity for some investigation, as his address would give the +necessary clue to his identity. The request for evening clothes, however, +rather reassured him; evidently his first plunge into this mystery was +not to occur in any stratum of low society; no vast amount of personal +danger could be involved in such preliminaries. The truth was, the note +only increased his former interest in the case, and his determination to +probe more deeply into its mystery. So the advertiser was a woman! This +fact also stimulated his imagination, and rendered him the more eager. By +Jove! he would see the thing through! + +His decision was reached, yet West, although still young and adventurous, +had received the rigorous training of the soldier, and learned lessons of +discretion. He would go, but would make every effort to protect himself +against any possible treachery. He had a room at the Club, and wrote a +letter or two before proceeding to dress, arranging for their personal +delivery in case he failed to return at a designated time; carefully +examined his service revolver, and deposited it in the pocket of the +business suit he decided to wear. Satisfied with these arrangements, he +dressed rapidly, and then packed his bag, bearing it in his hand as he +departed in ample time for the point of rendezvous. A cab took him to the +place designated, and he found himself alone in a rather desolate spot, +with which he was in no way familiar. No doubt he had passed there again +and again, as a boulevard extended along one side of the small park, yet +his memory retained no clear recollection of the place. There were a few +small stores opposite, while the park itself was well kept, and populated +almost entirely by nursemaids, judging from the number of baby carriages +trailing along the walks. Back of the curb were a few benches, but West +chose to remain outside, depositing his bag in plain view of any one +passing, and then walked back and forth somewhat nervously. He was there +several minutes ahead of time, and compared his watch by a clock in a +church tower a block away. He had no knowledge of how he was to be +approached, or identified, but his being requested to bring a bag +containing evening clothes, somehow suggested riding, rather than +walking, and consequently his eyes followed more or less intently the +constant stream of automobiles. + +He grew restless, and more doubtful as the moments slipped past. Surely +he could not have mistaken the place of appointment or the hour? He +glanced at the scene to again reassure himself. No, that was impossible; +the park name was plainly decipherable beside the entrance, and his watch +coincided exactly with the clock in the tower. He stood beside his bag, +staring up and down the boulevard, permitting his eyes to occasionally +wander to the scene within the enclosure. Nothing rewarded his scrutiny. +Then suddenly, without slightest warning, a black limousine whirled in +alongside the curb, and came to a stop immediately in front of where he +waited. The chauffeur, dressed in plain dark livery, stepped out, and +threw open the rear door, without asking so much as a question. Except +that the fellow stood there, looking directly toward him, his fingers on +the latch, expectantly, West would not have known that he was wanted. Yet +it was all so obvious he could not question. Silently he picked up his +bag, and stepped forward. He saw no one within, but firm in the belief +that the chauffeur must have his orders, he entered blindly, the door +closing instantly behind him. The curtains were drawn, the interior +gloomy and indistinct, and the driver had resumed his seat, and started +the motor, before West realized that he was not alone. In one corner of +the wide back seat, drawn back from any possible observation from +without, sat a woman. + +At first glance he could only barely distinguish the outlines of her +figure, dimly discernable against the dark background of the upholstery, +but, as his eyes accustomed themselves to the faint light, her features +also became dimly visible--enough so, at least, to convince him that she +was young. Neither spoke for some moments, while the automobile gathered +speed, and West had an uncomfortable feeling that the lady was watching +him with great intentness. Slightly embarrassed, and uncertain as to his +best course of action, the young man remained silent, his eyes on the +burly back of the chauffeur, revealed through the front glass. He could +only quietly await her explanation of this strange situation. The delay +was not a long one. She laughed, nervously perhaps, yet with a sense of +humour at the awkward position. + +"Quite melodramatic, is it not, Captain West?" she asked, in a decidedly +pleasant voice. "I trust it appeals thoroughly to that disposition for +adventure of which you wrote. I assure you I have arranged the details +to the best of my ability." + +"Nothing more could be desired, I am sure," he confessed, surprised at +her tone, and glancing toward her. "I certainly am left completely in the +dark, unable even to clearly distinguish my mysterious companion in +adventure." + +"And there really is no longer any occasion for such concealment." She +lifted the heavy curtain beside her, permitting the grey light to rest +upon her face. "I preferred not to be seen at the park for obvious +reasons; but here, alone with you, such precaution is quite +unnecessary. We are to be either friends, or enemies, so frankness is +the best course." + +He saw the face of a young woman of twenty-four, or five, with dark eyes +and hair, her cheeks flushed with health and excitement, her lips +smiling. It was a face of unusual attractiveness, not regular, perhaps, +in any of its features, yet filled with character, and glowing with life. +It was to him a totally unfamiliar countenance, but one which as +instantly awakened his interest. He liked the girl, and believed in her. + +"I can only thank you," he said, rather lamely. "Although I do not +understand now how we could ever become enemies. Surely, that is not +a threat?" + +"Oh, no, it is far too true. You have yet to learn what I require. Yet +that was very nicely said. I take it to mean your first impression of me +is not unfavourable?" + +"Very far from it. I am already deeply interested in my task. If I lacked +an incentive before, you have furnished it. I am only too glad I was the +fortunate volunteer." + +She laughed again softly, her eyes still on his face. + +"Really, I had not anticipated such a sincere compliment. No doubt you +learned these delightful speeches in France," she answered, a very faint +tinge of sarcasm in the words. "However, this is a very serious matter, +Captain West, and really has nothing to do with my personal appearance. I +am, of course, being a woman, glad that I please you, but we must +consider this particular affair from an entirely different standpoint. I +am seeking neither flirtation nor compliment; merely a trustworthy agent. +First of all, it is necessary that you comprehend this." + +He bowed, impressed by her manner, and somewhat ashamed of his +impetuousity. + +"I accept the reproof," he said quietly, "and will endeavour henceforth +not to offend in any way. I am entirely at your service." + +"There is no offence; I merely thought it best there should be no +misunderstanding. Now, I am sure, we can proceed intelligently. Indeed, I +am going to frankly confess, I also like your appearance. This mutual +liking ought to be half the battle. We have quite a ride before us yet; +you may question me if you wish." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +A SUDDEN ENGAGEMENT + + +West gazed out through the window, wondering where they were. In his +interest in his companion, he had until this moment, taken no note of +things without, nor did his eyes rest now upon any familiar scene. They +were swiftly, and noiselessly, passing blocks of respectable residences, +none of these particularly distinguished. Her sudden invitation rather +startled him. + +"You mean I am to question you freely." + +"Assuredly; while I am to remain quite as free in my answers. That is +perfectly fair, is it not?" + +"At least, it sounds so. Where am I being transported then? And why the +dress-suit?" + +His questions evidently amused, for her eyes sparkled. + +"Naturally that query comes first; and especially the dress-suit. You +have the prejudices of your sex, I see, and without regret. I shall +endeavour to reply catagorically, yet with reservations. We are going to +a country home, where we dine, in company with a few guests." + +"I see; I am first of all to be projected into society. Are any of these +guests known to me?" + +"God forbid; and I may even venture to predict that you will never care +to know any of them again. You are to be present as my guest, and will so +be welcomed." + +"I feel the honour; but would it not be well under these circumstances +for me to know more clearly whose guest I am? Suppose, for instance, I +had to refer to our long friendship, it would be extremely awkward not to +even be able to mention your name." + +"My name! Why, of course, you do not know what it is. Well, really I am +not altogether certain that I do either. We will therefore compromise on +the one I am known by; which will be safer. Allow me, Captain West, to +present to you Miss Natalie Coolidge." + +She held out frankly a neatly gloved hand, which he as instantly took, +and retained in his own, the girl making no immediate effort to +withdraw it. + +"This is very kind of you, Miss Coolidge," he acknowledged, adapting +himself to her present mood. "But it seems there is no necessity for me +to present myself. Apparently my identity is already known." + +"Otherwise you would not be among those present," she admitted frankly. +"You must surely realize that I needed, at least, to have some +information relative to a man in whom I expected to confide. Telling +secrets--especially family secrets--to strangers is not my specialty." + +"Then, I judge you have not accepted me blindly?" + +"No, I have not," earnestly, and now releasing her hand. "I do not think +we ever really know any one except through personal intercourse; but I do +know who you are, and something of what your life thus far has been. It +was two days after I received your answer before I replied to it. This +time was devoted exclusively to making me somewhat better acquainted with +my correspondent." + +"But how could you? I signed no name." + +She smiled, again quite at her ease. + +"The box number at the Club was amply sufficient. I have friends there; +once possessed of your name and army rank, the department records at +Washington furnished all further information. A Senator kindly attended +to that end, and was also able to supply a little additional gossip +through one of his Southern colleagues. So you perceive, Captain, I am +not altogether reckless. Are you interested in learning what I know?" + +"I am; both from records and gossip. Will you tell me?" + +"Willingly," and she checked the points off on her gloved fingers. "You +are Matthew West, the only son of Judge Robert Peel West, of Atlanta, +Georgia. Your mother, who was of the well-known Bullock family, died when +you were about fifteen, and her widowed sister has since been the +house-keeper. You are a graduate of the university of Virginia, being +fourth in your class in Scholarship. Your engineering course was +completed in Massachusetts, and you later became connected with the Wyant +Contracting Company, of Chicago. You were here, however, only a very +brief time, making but few acquaintances, when the War broke out. You +immediately entered the first officers' training school at Fort Sheridan, +graduating with the rank of First Lieutenant, and were assigned to a +regiment of Engineers, among the earliest to sail for France. While there +you were wounded twice, and cited once for special gallantry in the +rescue of a seriously injured private. Your last wound caused your return +to the United States on a special mission, and also won you the rank of +Captain. Since then you have been honourably discharged, but have made +no effort to resume professional work. You are twenty-six, and unmarried. +Is there anything else you care to know?" + +"I think not; really your agency has been most efficient. Could you tell +me also if I have ever been in love?" + +"In love! Really I made no inquiries, as that did not interest me in the +least. I am prepared to be confessed to, however, if you feel it +necessary." + +"I may have to confess later. Just now it might be better to let matters +remain as they are. And so this review satisfied you that I was really +the man you sought?" + +"No, it did not wholly satisfy, but it looked promising. You were +evidently courageous, and a gentleman. These qualities were essential; +whether in other respects you measured up to my purpose, could only be +ascertained through a personal interview. There was no other way." + +"And now?" he persisted. + +"Still encouraging. I must admit, although the test is not yet complete. +However, we are now approaching the end of our journey. Before we turn in +I am going to ask a favour of you--call me Natalie." + +"Natalie; that will be easy." + +"And also forgive me if I fail in always addressing you formally as +Captain West. I presume your friends say Matt, do they not?" + +"Some have that habit." + +"Then I claim also the privilege." + +She bewildered him, left him in wonderment as to what she would do next, +but there was scarcely time in which to answer before the speeding +limousine turned abruptly into a private drive-way, curving gracefully to +the front of a rather imposing stone mansion, set well back from the +road. West caught a glimpse of a green lawn, a maze of stables at the +rear, and a tennis-court with several busily engaged players. Then they +were at the side entrance, and a servant, in the same unobtrusive livery +as the chauffeur, was quietly opening the door. He turned and helped his +companion to emerge. + +"Take the gentleman's bag to the Blue Room, Sexton," she said calmly, +"and then lay out his evening clothes." + +"Yes, miss." + +"I will be in the hall when you come down, Captain, but there is +no hurry." + +West followed the servant up the softly carpeted stairs, finding the +apartment assigned him not only extremely comfortable, but even elegant +in its furnishing. He stood at the window looking down on the tennis +court, while Sexton opened the bag, and spread out the required +garments on the bed. Evidently he was in a home of wealth and +refinement. The grounds outspread before his eyes were spacious and +attractive; in the distance he even perceived an artificial lake with +paths winding enticingly along its shore, and through strips of +woodland. Who could this strange girl be? this Natalie Coolidge? And +what could she possible desire of him? These questions remained +unanswered, yet continually tantalized. He could not even grasp her +personality. In spite of her apparent friendliness, her irresistible +smile, her lack of conventionality, there remained a certain reserve +about the young woman he felt quite unable to penetrate. Whatever game +she was playing she kept the cards securely in her own hands. He was +not yet admitted to her confidence. He stood there immersed in these +thoughts still, when Sexton spoke. + +"Shall I assist you, sir?" + +"No; it will not be necessary. You have laid out everything?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Very well; that will do, at present. What is the hour for dinner?" + +"Seven o'clock, sir." + +"I have ample time then. That will be all." The man retired noiselessly, +closing the door after him, and West began slowly to dress, rather amused +at the care he took, that all details should be as correct as possible. +Unquestionably the girl interested him oddly. She was original, a new +type, and he made no effort to drive her from his imagination. He had not +been long back from the war zone, his acquaintance in the city was +extremely limited, and consequently this girl, thus suddenly brought into +his life, had made a far greater impression than she might otherwise. Yet +under any conditions, she would have proven noticeable, and attractive. +He endeavoured to analyse what constituted this peculiar attractiveness, +but without arriving at any definite conclusion. She was young, of +course, and undeniably pretty, with eyes really remarkable, and a smile +not to be easily forgotten. She possessed a sense of humour, and had left +upon him a strong impression of frank sincerity. Yet in these qualities +she did not differ so greatly from others he had known. Perhaps mystery +had much to do with her power of enticement--a continual wonderment as to +what she might do next. Then she was so self-poised, so confident of +herself, so naturally informed. All these things had their charm, and, +coupled with her undoubted beauty, left his brain in a whirl. + +He was satisfactorily dressed at last, although obliged to switch on the +lights before this was accomplished. The reflection of himself in the +pier glass quite met his deliberate approval, and he glanced inquiringly +at his watch, rather eager to delve deeper into this adventure. It was a +few moments of seven, and she would undoubtedly be waiting for him in the +hall below. He descended the broad stairs, conscious of a thrill of +expectancy; nor was he doomed to disappointment. + +Miss Coolidge met him in the dimly lighted vacancy of the hall, with +smiling eyes of welcome. They were mocking, puzzling eyes, the depths of +which he could not fathom--they perplexed, and invited at the same +instant. She was in evening dress, a creamy satin, revealing white +shoulders, and rounded, beautifully mounded arms, visible beneath folds +of filmy lace. If he had dreamed the girl attractive before in the +plainness of street costume, he now beheld her in a new vision of +loveliness. His heart throbbed at the sight, every nerve tingling to the +intimate tones of her voice. And she met him in a more delightful mood of +informality than had found expression even during their afternoon ride. +She was apparently in the highest spirits, eager to overstep all +conventionality. + +"Again you please me," she said, surveying him critically. "Really this +is too much, the wonderful way in which you meet every test." + +"You mean in clothes?" + +"In everything, so far. Clothes--yes; do they not reveal the very soul of +a man? I hardly think I could ever have forgiven if you had come down not +looking the part you are to play." + +"Nor could I have forgiven myself, if I am to enjoy the pleasure of +taking you in to dinner." + +"That privilege is yours even without the asking. But," quizzically, and +glancing up frankly into his eyes, "You may not care when the time comes. +For the great test arrives first. So, buck up, Captain, for you are going +to have the shock of your life. Whatever you do, even if you feel that +you are about to faint, don't, for my sake, let your face show it." + +"But," he protested, "give me some warning, some opportunity to prepare +for such an emergency." + +"No," she laughed gaily, "there is no time; it is ordained to fall upon +you like a thunder-bolt. They are all in there waiting for us now. You +will offer me your arm." + +He accompanied her, amused, yet bewildered, through the wide archway into +the more brilliantly lighted drawing-room. It was a magnificent +apartment, containing a half dozen people. The one nearest the entrance +was a man of middle age, exceedingly pompous and dignified, who +immediately arose to his feet, expectantly. Miss Coolidge cordially +extended her hand in greeting. + +"So glad to learn you could be out, Judge," she said, the least +perceptible hesitancy in her voice. "Permit me to present Judge Cable, of +the Supreme Court; Captain West, my fiancé." + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE COOLIDGE HOME + + +For an instant West was absolutely helpless to assert himself. The calm +assurance of the girl's voice in this unexpected introduction left his +brain paralysed with bewilderment. Yet his features did not betray his +condition, nor did he entirely lose control over himself. His fingers met +the outstretched hand of the Judge, and he seemed to gaze calmly into the +latter's searching eyes. Fortunately he was not compelled to speak, as +Cable voiced his own surprise fluently. + +"Well, well," he exclaimed. "This is certainly startling, Natalie. I am, +indeed, bereft of words, yet I congratulate you, sir. Captain--Captain +West, I think was the name? You are then in the service, sir?" + +"Discharged from the Engineers." + +"Ah, exactly. I can hardly adjust myself. Friends, come forward. I have +to make an announcement extraordinary. It seems this sly minx has +arranged a surprise for all of us. Perchance this was the purpose of our +little dinner party?" + +"Oh, no, Judge," protested Miss Coolidge, her cheeks flushed, yet +otherwise perfectly cool and self-possessed. West ventured to glance +aside into her face, surprised at the quietness of her voice. "Really, +this was unexpected, even to myself. I was not so much as aware that +Captain West was in the city until a very short time ago. I am sure he +will bear me out in this statement." + +"I could not do otherwise, and be truthful," West felt compelled to +admit. "The announcement was quite unexpected." + +"But what is this all about?" asked a female voice eagerly. "Remember we +have not heard, Judge Cable." + +"It is my pleasure then," he said gallantly, bowing, and at once +instituting himself as master of ceremonies, "to introduce to you, Miss +Natalie's fiancé, Captain West--Mrs. Lonsdale, Professor Scott, Miss +Margaret Willis, Colonel LeFranc, Mrs. Wilber Somers. Possibly there may +be no necessity of my presenting the next gentleman--Mr. Percival +Coolidge." + +"Oh, but there is," the last mentioned interposed, a tall rather portly +man, with grey hair and moustache, "I must confess this is as much a +surprise to me as to any one present. However," he grasped West's hand +with apparent cordiality, "I hasten to add my congratulations, and to +wish Natalie all the happiness possible." + +The group slowly broke up, the members still discussing the undoubted +surprise of this announcement, Miss Coolidge talking animatedly with Mrs. +Lonsdale, and seemingly having forgotten West's presence in the room. He +was utterly unable to even catch her eye, and finally found himself +confronting Colonel LeFranc and Percival Coolidge, the latter instantly +engaging him in conversation, evidently seeking more definite +information. + +"This engagement with my niece," he said uneasily, "must have been rather +sudden? Even your name is quite unfamiliar to me." + +"It was, indeed," admitted West, who had now completely recovered +his nerve, and even begun to enjoy the situation. "Since my return +from abroad." + +"You were with the army in France?" + +"In an Engineer Regiment. I have been in America only two weeks." + +"Ah, indeed. And this is your home?" + +Realizing that the elder Coolidge was diligently searching for +information, West decided the best method would be a full confession. + +"Oh, no," he said candidly, "I am from the South--Atlanta, Georgia. My +father is a District Judge, Robert Peel West, quite widely known, and my +mother belonged to the Bullock family. I am a graduate of the University +of Virginia, and also of the Massachusetts Polytechnic. Before the war I +was connected for a short time, with a well-known firm of Engineers in +this city, but, since my return, I have not resumed professional work. +Having been wounded in France, I have felt entitled to a little rest +after my return." + +"Quite interesting, I am sure," Coolidge turned to the Colonel. "You are +Southern also, I believe?" + +"Very much so," was the quick response. "And I chance to know the name +of Judge West rather well. I congratulate your niece on her choice of a +life companion. There is no better blood in Georgia. I would be very +pleased to hear more of your father, Captain West. I have not met him +for several years." + +West, by this time, thoroughly impressed with the spirit of the occasion, +passed the ensuing evening rather pleasantly, although obliged to be +always on his guard against any incautious remark, and keenly interested +in all that was occurring about him. He found the company rather pleasant +and entertaining, although not quite able to gauge the real feelings of +Mr. Percival Coolidge, who he imagined was not altogether satisfied with +the state of affairs just revealed. The gentleman was outwardly cordial +enough, yet his manner continued distinctively reserved, and somewhat +cold. West, however, attributed this largely to the nature of the man, +and finally dismissed the thought from his mind altogether. The person +who continued to puzzle him most was Natalie Coolidge, nor was he able to +approach her in any way so as to obtain a whispered private word of +guidance. The girl unquestionably avoided him, easily able to accomplish +this by devoting her entire attention to the other guests. + +She appeared in excellent humour, and there was laughter, and brilliant +conversation wherever she paused, but not once could he encounter her +glance, or find her for a moment alone. Nor dare he ask questions of +those he conversed with, so as to gain any fresh insight into this +mystery. He ventured upon thin ice once or twice most carefully, but the +information obtained was infinitesimal, although it bore to some extent +on the problem confronting him. The Colonel innocently lifted the veil +slightly, permitting him to learn that this was a week-end party, and +that Miss Coolidge was the mistress of the place, her parents having been +dead for two years. Percival Coolidge, her father's brother, and a +manufacturer in the city, was her guardian, and the affairs of the estate +were not yet entirely liquidated. West drew the impression that Colonel +LeFranc possessed a rather low opinion of the uncle, although he was +careful to choose his words. Beyond this he apparently knew nothing of +the family history, which he felt at liberty to communicate. As West had +a delicacy in asking questions, the subject was pursued no further. + +He was assigned to escort Miss Willis, a tall willowy blonde, and quite +talkative, in to dinner, but her conversation ran largely to the +theatrical offerings in town, and he found it impossible to change her +trend of thought into other channels. The hostess sat nearly opposite, +where she could easily overhear the young lady, whose voice was decidedly +penetrating, so West made no serious attempt to be otherwise than +complacent. Once the smiling Natalie appealed to him, familiarly +calling him "Matt" across the table, and he responded with equal +intimacy, yet her eyes avoided his, and it was plainly evident to his +self-consciousness, that her remark was merely part of the play. More +and more her actions mystified and perplexed; he could not discover the +key to her hidden motive, or guess at her purpose in this masquerade. +Nothing remained but for him to go quietly forward, playing the part +assigned. He had pledged himself blindly to her, and could only wait for +the future to reveal the object of it all. Sometime he would succeed in +getting the girl alone once more, and then he would compel a full +confession. + +But this was not destined to take place that evening. She coolly and +deliberately defeated every effort he made to get her alone, and yet this +was accomplished in a manner so as not to attract the attention of +others. Even Percival Coolidge, who, West felt, was watching them both +shrewdly, never suspected the quiet game of hide and seek being played +under his very eyes. Nevertheless, it was this growing suspicion of the +man which prevented West from indulging in more rigorous methods. As the +evening progressed he became almost convinced that her principal object +was to deceive this gentleman; that she really cared nothing for what the +others might think, or say. And she did her part to perfection, being +with West often, although never alone, speaking to him intimately, and +requesting of him little acts of service most natural under the +circumstances. He played opposite her in a fourhanded game of bridge; he +turned the leaves of her music when she sang, and her arm rested within +his as they all stood on the porch watching the moon rise. It was all a +masterpiece of acting, so exceedingly well done, as to finally convince +the young man that she was greatly in earnest as to its success. She +desired Percival Coolidge to have no lingering doubt of her engagement. +And, finding all opportunity of explanation denied him, he yielded to the +inevitable, and, for the evening at least, silently accepted his fate. + +Nor did circumstances favour him when the company finally broke up, and +retired for the night. He had thought this moment might be propitious, +but she calmly outgeneraled him again, suddenly bidding the men remain +and smoke as long as they pleased, and, disappearing herself up the +stairway with Miss Willis, without so much as a glance backward, +indicative of any lingering interest. West, convinced that her retirement +was final, and early wearying of the rather drowsy conversation about +him, soon sought his own room. It was eleven o'clock of a bright, +moonlight night, and, feeling in no degree sleepy, West seated himself +at the window to finish his cigar. He heard the others pass along the +hall on their way to the rooms assigned them, and finally all became +quiet, even the servants apparently having retired. Outside was likewise +noiseless, the moon revealing the scene almost as clearly as though it +was day, yet leaving weird shadows to confuse the eye. Occasionally a +belated motor car passed along the road, invisible because of the trees. +Again and again his mind reviewed the strange events of the evening, +unable to arrive at any definite conclusion. The harder he sought to +delve into the mystery, the more obscure it became. The young woman +herself thoroughly baffled him. If this was merely a test, it was +certainly a most unusual one, and he hoped he had met the requirements to +her entire satisfaction. He already frankly acknowledged to himself, at +least, that she had become of personal interest to him. He fell a +peculiar desire to be of service; but this desire was now permeated with +a firm determination to know the whole truth. He would no longer remain +ignorant of her object, for what purpose he was being used. She must +trust him, and tell him frankly, if he was to continue to play a part. He +would know whether this was tragedy or comedy, first of all. + +He had, indeed, reached some conclusions already. These might not be +correct, yet they were already implanted in his mind. The guests of the +night were mere puppets, having no real connection with the game being +played, utterly ignorant of what was going on behind the scenes. The only +one present having any real part was Percival Coolidge, and West had +taken an instinctive dislike to this man. Moreover, he had some reason to +believe this feeling was warmly reciprocated; that the latter already +suspected and watched him. Only one explanation flashed into his mind to +account for Miss Coolidge's unexpected announcement of an engagement +between them--this would excuse any future intimacy; would enable them to +meet alone freely without arousing comment. She had deliberately chosen +this course to disarm suspicion, and had failed to warn him in advance +that she might test his nerve and discretion. This appealed to him as the +most reasonable explanation of the situation. But beyond this vague +guess, it was impossible to delve. He possessed no facts, no knowledge; +he could only keep faith in her, and wait the time of explanation. + +Tired by the uselessness of such thinking West finally sought the bed, +and must have slept, although scarcely aware that he had closed his eyes. + +Some slight noise aroused him. The door leading into the hall, which he +had failed to lock, stood partially ajar, and his eyes caught the vague +glimpse of a figure gliding swiftly through the opening. With one bound +he was upon his feet, springing recklessly forward. The hall was dark, +but for a patch of moonlight at the further end. Against this he caught +an instant, flitting glimpse of the intruder. It was a woman, yet even +as his eyes told him this, she seemed to vanish into thin air--the hall +was empty. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +MISS COOLIDGE EXPLAINS + + +Vague and indistinct as was that fleeting vision in the moonlight, West +felt no doubt as to the identity of his visitor--the woman was Natalie +Coolidge. His one glimpse of her vanishing figure assured him of this +fact, and he drew back instantly, unwilling to follow. Where she had gone +he neither knew, nor cared. She had come to his room secretly, supposing +him asleep, and this surprising knowledge dominated his mind. What could +such an act mean? This was certainly a home of respectability, of wealth. +The guests being entertained were evidence of that; yet this secret +entrance into his private apartment at such an hour suggested theft, or +even some more desperate crime. There was mystery here, at least, a +mystery beyond his power of discernment. However, this recognition rather +hardened him to his task, than otherwise. He had been forced into the +strange environment, and now meant to penetrate its every secret. + +This time he locked the outer door carefully, and lay down on the bed, +wondering if there would be any further developments. As he attempted to +think, he was listening eagerly for the slightest sound of movement in +the hall. There were none; the transom stood partially open, but no noise +reached his ears from the outside; clearly enough the night prowler, +assured that he was still awake, had decided to make no further effort. +Doubtless she believed her escape had been unseen, or, at least, that she +had remained unrecognized in the gloom, and would now resort to some +entirely different method for achieving her end, whatever it could be. He +could only wait, and watch for the next move. Perhaps the morning would +bring full explanation. With this conception in his mind, his head sought +the pillow, and he lapsed into unconsciousness. + +The long training of army service caused West to awaken early, while the +house was yet quiet, but with the dawn already red in the East. He +crossed to the window, and looked out. It was a beautiful morning, the +green lawn yet sparkling with dew; the estate was evidently a fine one, +quite extensive and carefully attended to. To the right of the tennis +court was a well arranged flower garden, criss-crossed by white paths, an +ornate summer-house in its centre, completely concealed by vines. Beyond +this, conspicuous against the green back-ground, West caught the flutter +of a white skirt, realizing instantly that, early as the hour was, +Natalie Coolidge was already up and about. He wondered if her presence +might not be an invitation for him? Perhaps she had deliberately chosen +this early hour, before the others awoke, to explain her strange conduct +of the previous evening? At least, here was an opportunity to see and +talk with her alone. + +He dressed swiftly, and slipped noiselessly down-stairs, unlocking the +front door, and emerging into the fresh air, without encountering any +stray members of the household. Not even a servant was visible. He passed +beyond the vine draped arbour before she realized his approach, and +straightened up, a freshly cut rose in one gloved hand, the pruning +shears in the other, welcoming him with a little laugh, her eyes full of +demure mischief. + +"I rather suspected army discipline had not entirely worn off," she said +pleasantly, "and that you might still prove to be an early riser." + +"And does this expectation account for your presence?" + +"Not wholly; it has become a habit with me. I am always the first one +out in the morning, and it will be an hour yet before breakfast is +served. However, I promised to be very frank with you, did I not? Then I +will begin now; this morning I really hoped I might see you for a moment +before the others were stirring--we have so much to talk about." + +"It certainly seems so to me," he responded honestly, yet not greatly +encouraged by the amusement in her eyes. "The night has been full of +surprises." + +"During which you bore yourself exceedingly well. I have always read of +the initiative of the American soldier, Captain, and in this case, you +met my every expectation." + +"Then I have passed the test?" + +She hesitated, her eyes seeking his, and then falling before his gaze. + +"Yes," she acknowledged slowly, "I can scarcely say anything else now; +the--the affair has progressed so far already there is nothing to do but +go on with it." + +"Yet I remain wholly in the dark," he protested.. "Surely you cannot +expect real service when given so blindly?" + +"No, I do not. I mean to trust you fully. It is the only way; but do you +still truly wish to serve?" + +"I am enlisted in the cause without reserve," he insisted warmly. "While +I learned but little last evening, that little was enough to convince me +there is something strange under the surface. Your calling me to your +assistance is no joke--you actually need me." + +"I need some one on whose judgment and courage I can rely," she +answered earnestly, "and I believe now that you are the one. It is +rather an odd situation, Captain West, but the circumstances surely +justify my action. Perhaps I shall have time to partly explain now. Let +us slip into the concealment of this summer-house; no one can approach +without being seen." + +It was dark and cool under the shadow of the vines, but, for a moment +after they were seated, neither spoke. West waited expectantly for his +companion to break the silence, and she seemingly found it difficult to +begin her story. The flush deepened on her cheeks, and her lips parted. + +"It really seems so ridiculous," she explained at last desperately. +"Almost like a dream of fancy, and I hardly know how to put the situation +into words. If I were ten years younger I would almost be convinced +myself that it was all imaginary, yet everything I tell you is true. I +wonder if you will believe me?" + +"Do not question that. I realize fully your earnestness." + +"Yet I am going to test your credulity, just the same. But it would be +very foolish to venture as far as I have already, and then fail to go on. +So I'll tell you just what I know, and--and then leave it there. That +will be the best way. Those people you met last evening have nothing to +do with the story--none of them, at least, unless it may possibly be +Percival Coolidge. I am rather afraid of him; I always have been. I +believe he knows what all this trouble means, but I do not dare go +and talk with him about it. That is really what is the matter, I +suppose--there is no one I can talk to; they would only laugh at me. If +you do, I shall never forgive you." + +"I am not at all so inclined. Tell me the story from the very beginning." + +"Yes, I will. My father was Steven Coolidge, and was very wealthy. He did +not marry until late in life, and, I have reason to believe it was a +great disappointment to his brother Percival that a child was born. +Perhaps I ought not to make such a statement, but much has occurred to +impress me with his dislike--" + +"He is your guardian?" + +"Yes; you learned that last night?" + +"From the Colonel; he seemed to enjoy talking, and naturally, I was +curious. Has Percival Coolidge wealth of his own?" + +"Only what my father left him, which was a considerable sum, and a +limited interest in the business. He was very much dissatisfied with his +share. Originally he was one of the two trustees in charge of the estate, +but the other died, leaving him entirely in control. Before I was born he +had confidently expected to inherit everything." + +"The estate then is not settled?" + +"Not until I am twenty-five; within a few days now." + +"And your mother?" + +"She died at my birth." + +West leaned forward eagerly. "It is the estate then that troubles you?" +he asked swiftly. "You imagine it has wasted?" + +"No, not at all. They tell me it has increased in value. My father's +lawyer assures me as to this. Percival Coolidge is a good business man, +but something strange is going on behind the scenes. I cannot talk with +the lawyer about it; I can scarcely be sure myself. I--I am simply up +against a mystery I am unable to solve. Everywhere I turn I run into a +blank wall." + +"But I do not understand." + +"How could you expect to, when it is so utterly obscure to me? I seem to +be fighting against a ghost." + +"A ghost!" + +"Yes; now don't laugh at me! Do you suppose I would ever have done +anything as reckless as advertising for help if I had not been actually +desperate? Can you imagine a respectable girl performing so ridiculous an +act, as putting her whole trust in a stranger, inviting him to her home, +introducing him as her promised husband to her relatives and friends? +Why, it almost proves me crazed, and, in a measure, I think I must be. +But it is because I have exhausted all ordinary methods. I do not seem to +be opposing anything of flesh and blood; I am fighting against shadows. I +cannot even explain my predicament to another." + +"You must try," he insisted firmly, affected by her evident distress. "I +must be told everything if I am to be of any value. A half way confidence +can accomplish nothing." + +"But it sounds so foolish; I am being haunted! I know that, yet that is +all I do know." + +"Haunted, in what way?" + +"I do not even know that; but by a woman, I think--a woman who must +strangely resemble me. She pretends to be me--to my friends, to my +servants, at my bank. I never see the creature, but I hear of her from +others. She has actually drawn checks in my name, imitating my signature, +and having them cashed by clerks who know me well. She has given orders +to my servants, and they protest that I gave them. She meets and talks +with my friends in places where I never go. I am sure she has actually +been in this house, and ridden in my car undiscovered. I am constantly +reported as being seen at restaurants and hotels where I have not been, +and with parties I do not know. This has been going on for a month now. I +am unable to prove her an imposter, even to identify her. I have +endeavoured to discuss the situation with a few people, but they only +laugh at the strange idea. No one will listen to me seriously. My lawyer +actually believes I am demented." + +"And you conceived the thought that perhaps a total stranger might prove +more sympathetic?" + +"Yes," she admitted. "If he was young and adventurous; provided I +interested him at all. It would seem to offer me a chance; and then, if +unknown to the party impersonating me, such a one might learn the truth +unsuspected. Do you believe me, Captain?" + +"I have no reason to doubt what you say. What you describe is not +impossible, and there surely must be an adequate explanation for it. I +mean to do my very best to uncover the mystery. You have these +fraudulent checks?" + +"Yes; one was returned to me only yesterday." + +"I shall want them, together with one you drew yourself. Also the names +of the servants who have apparently been approached by this person, and +the circumstances." + +"Certainly." + +"You do not mind if I ask you one or two rather direct personal +questions?" + +"Assuredly not." + +"What caused you to announce our engagement?" + +She laughed, but from sudden embarrassment. + +"It was silly, wasn't it! Really I do not exactly know; a sudden impulse, +and the words were spoken. It occurred to me that our intimacy could be +accounted for in no other way." + +"So I supposed. Well, there is no harm done, but now, you understand, we +must play out the game." + +"Play it out?" + +"Surely; act natural, permit no suspicion to be aroused. Even if I should +feel impelled by duty, to kiss you, it is my privilege." + +"Why--why, you cannot mean that!" + +"Oh, but I do. This is no threat that I shall insist on carrying the +matter to such an extreme, yet I must insist on the right if it becomes +necessary. You would scarcely dare refuse, would you?" + +"No," she confessed, her eyes suddenly meeting his, "I--I suppose not; +but--but is it necessary to discuss that now?" + +"Perhaps not, only I must know. You will play the game?" + +Her eyes fell, the breath pulsing between her lips. + +"I am not afraid," she said rather proudly. "Yes, I will play the game." + +"Good! I knew you would. And now for the second question; why did you +come to my room last night?" + +She stared at him incredulously, the flush fading from her cheeks. + +"Your room! I come to your room! Assuredly no; what can you mean?" + +"Then it must be that I have already encountered the ghost," he declared +smilingly. "For the very counterpart of you certainly visited me. I had a +clear view of her in the moon-light, but she vanished down the hall. I +would have sworn she was you." + +"A woman?" + +"Absolutely a woman; flesh and blood, no doubt as to that." + +"When was this?" + +"After midnight." + +"It was not I, Captain West; please believe that--but hush; there comes +Percival Coolidge!" + + + + +CHAPTER V + +WEST WINS THE FIRST HAND + + +The newcomer stood at the edge of the front steps, and paused long enough +to light a cigarette before descending. His features were as clear cut as +though done in marble, and about as expressive. To all outward +appearances, the man was cold, emotionless, selfish egotism written on +every feature. For the first time, in the glare of the bright morning +light, West took stock of the fellow, and realized his true nature. +Instinctively he felt that here was the particular antagonist he was to +be pitted against. Whatever might be the truth as to a strange woman, +this man must be the controlling factor in any conspiracy. His companion +must have sensed the same fact, for she swiftly drew back beneath the +shadow of the vines. + +"You meet him," she whispered, "alone. I would rather he did not find us +together." + +"But can you escape unseen?" + +"Yes, under cover of the hedge. But be very careful what you say." + +She had vanished before he could interpose, slipping away so noiselessly, +he was scarcely aware of her swift action. His eyes followed the more +deliberate movements of the man, who slowly descended the broad steps, +pausing when once on the gravelled walk to glance curiously back at the +house. West thought his interest centred on the open window of the room +he had occupied, but this was merely a conjecture, for the delay was but +for a moment; shortly after Coolidge strolled on directly toward the +summer-house, the blue smoke of the cigarette marking his progress. West +stepped carelessly forth from the concealment of the vines, watchful for +any change of expression on the face of the other. There was none, not +even a look of surprise, or a tightening of the lip. + +"Ah! Captain," he said easily, tossing his stub aside, and drawing forth +his case for another. "Glorious air this morning; the advantage of early +rising; you indulge, I presume?" + +"An army habit, I mean to do away with later. Thanks. I suppose breakfast +is not ready?" + +"Hardly yet," glancing about inquiringly. "My niece is usually out here +at this hour, which accounts for my venturing forth. She is not here?" + +"Not now, although there are evidences that she has been," indicating +the gloves and pruning shears visible beside the walk. "We must have +arrived too late." + +"So it seems. You came with the same purpose, no doubt?" + +"If you mean the hope of encountering Natalie, your guess is correct. She +would not give me a word last night, and has even overturned my plans +this morning. Does she play hide and seek with you also?" + +"Does she! One never knows what she will do. But this last escapade is +the strangest of all." + +"You refer to our engagement?" + +"Assuredly; I had no warning, no conception of such a thing." + +"Do you mean, sir, that she had never consulted you? never even mentioned +me to you before?" + +"Exactly. You are aware of who I am, I presume? the position I hold +relative to her property?" + +"Certainly; you are her uncle and guardian. Under the terms of the will +you remain in full control until she is twenty-five, now almost at hand, +except for an annual income payable to her monthly. Is not that the +situation?" + +"You have apparently made very careful inquiry," he commented with a +perceptible sneer. "No doubt this was a matter of deep interest to you." + +"Of some interest, I confess," acknowledged West, controlling his temper. +"Although my information has not come from inquiry. Miss Natalie was kind +enough to talk to me about her affairs, presupposing my interest in them. +However, I assure you, I have no personal ambition along this line." + +"Indeed; not fortune-hunting then?" + +"Far from it," good humouredly, but keenly aware that he was touching +Coolidge. "My family is far from poverty stricken, and I have a very good +profession. It is quite right you should know this." + +"What profession, may I ask?" + +"Civil Engineer." + +"But not established, I imagine?" + +"I had very good connections before the war. Since returning from France, +I have made no effort to renew these, or seek others. I, of course, +expect to do so later, and shall be in no way dependent upon Miss +Coolidge's fortune." + +"Although quite willing to share it, I presume?" + +"I think you have insinuated that often enough," returned West, at last +fully aroused by the insolent words and manner of the other. "Perhaps it +may be well for us to have a plain understanding without further delay, +Mr. Percival Coolidge. My engagement to Miss Natalie may be sudden and +unexpected--perhaps not altogether pleasant from your standpoint--yet it +hardly warrants you in thus attributing to me mercenary motives. As a +matter of fact, I was not aware until last evening that she was an +heiress to considerable property. I knew nothing of her relationships. I +will say, however, that now I feel perfectly justified in showing an +interest in her affairs. As I understand matters, you are her guardian +under the special provisions of your brother's will?" + +"You are perfectly right, sir, and I should have been consulted previous +to this engagement." Coolidge said with dignity. "Even now it is subject +to my approval." + +"I think not. Your guardianship was merely a special provision of the +will, with reference to the estate. So I understand, at least. At +twenty-one, she became mistress of her own personal affairs, and no +longer needed to consult you." + +"I controlled her income." + +"Only the surplus; a certain sum was to be paid her each month until she +was twenty-five; then the entire estate came into her possession. Beyond +this you exercised no legal authority." + +"You seem well posted." + +"The lady herself informed me as to these facts." + +"Since yesterday?" + +"Yes, since yesterday." + +"Where, may I ask?" + +"In the summer-house here, a few moments ago." + +Coolidge gave utterance to an oath, which burst from his lips before it +could be wholly restrained. + +"Damn you! just what is your game?" he exclaimed roughly, forgetting his +pose. "Are you trying to get your nose into my affairs?" + +"Most certainly not," returned West coolly, yet facing the other with a +steady eye. "I can have no possible interest in your affairs. But I may +be led to investigate those of Miss Coolidge, if she should so request. +It seems she possesses no one to represent her at present--not even the +family lawyer." + +"What do you imply by that remark?" + +"That she has gone to you, and to the attorney, who represents the +estate, relative to some very strange occurrences of late, only to be +laughed at. No effort has been made to relieve her anxiety." + +"You mean that fool story about some one else pretending to be her?" + +"It cannot altogether be a fool story when this mysterious party passes +forged checks at the bank." + +"There was only one; that means nothing; the girl isn't using good sense. +So this is the stuff she is filling you up with? And you propose +investigating her wild imaginings, hey? By Gad, you are going to have an +interesting time." + +"I hope so; at least I am hoping to discover some truth." + +"Good. I wish you well," and his tone was one of decided relief. "Your +adventures ought to prove quite amusing." + +Coolidge laughed heartily, the whole affair apparently taking on a new +aspect, now that he felt he comprehended the real purpose of the other. + +"Oh, by the way, West, you must pardon me if I send Sexton into your room +for a valise I left there. You see I occupied that suite until you came." + +"Oh, indeed," surprised, "I noticed no other grip there." + +"It is in the closet. That has always been my room whenever I visit +here. I do not know why Natalie decided to change me this time--naturally +wished to reserve the best for you, I presume." + +"Very kind of her, I am sure. There is Sexton now." + +"Which means breakfast is served. Shall we go in?" + +The two men walked slowly up the gravelled path, leading to the side +door. West's thoughts were busy with this new discovery. Had he +inadvertently stumbled upon a clue? So he had occupied the room usually +reserved for Percival Coolidge. Perhaps here was the explanation of the +coming of his strange visitor. If so, then it was already clearly evident +that whatever the plot might be, this fellow had a hand in it. West +glanced aside at the face of his unconscious companion, deciding quickly +to venture a chance shot. + +"Were you expecting a caller last night?" he asked calmly. + +Coolidge wheeled about, startled out of his self-control. + +"A caller! Of course not. What put that in your head?" + +"Because I had one, in that room you say you always occupied. The +visitor vanished as soon as I was seen, and the thought occurred to me +just now that you might have been the one sought." + +"Perfectly absurd, West. You must have had a night-mare. What did she +look like?" + +"Oh, I only had a glimpse in the moon-light; resembled a ghost more than +anything else." + +"And just about what it was," with a laugh of relief. "Some dream you +better forget about. Come along; they are waiting on us." + +They passed up the steps together; and into the pleasant breakfast room, +where the remainder of the company were already gathered. Coolidge was +again perfectly at his ease, genially greeting the guests, and had +apparently already dismissed the incident from his mind. Evidently even +West did not consider it of any serious importance; he had clearly enough +not recognized the intruder, and either decided the whole affair a freak +of imagination, or else, at the worst, some midnight escapade of a +servant. But West's mind had in reality settled on a point which Coolidge +overlooked. He had gained the very information desired. He had carefully +refrained from even suggesting the sex of his mysterious visitor. +Percival Coolidge knew, without being told, that the caller was a woman. +Then he also knew who that woman was. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +UNTANGLING THREADS + + +The morning meal proved delightfully informal, Natalie gracefully +presiding, and apparently in the highest spirits. West found his place +reserved on her right with Miss Willis next, and, between the two, was +kept extremely busy. The Colonel sat directly across the table, with +Percival Coolidge just beyond the hostess. No intimation of anything +wrong burdened those present, the single servant silently performing his +duties to the constant laughing chatter of those about the table. Even +Coolidge, somewhat distant at first, yielded finally to the prevailing +humour, and joined freely in the conversation. This turned at last to the +plans for the day, revealing a variety of desires, which Natalie arranged +to gratify. The Colonel and two of the ladies expressed an inclination to +attend church, the limousine being offered them for the purpose. Others +decided on a match with the racquets, while Coolidge, rather to the +surprise of the lady, suggested that Natalie accompany him into the city +on a special errand of mercy. At first, amid the ceaseless clatter of +tongues, West was unable to grasp the nature of his plea, or her reply, +but finally overheard enough to arouse his personal interest, especially +when his own name was mentioned in the discussion. + +"I was not aware you ever concerned yourself in such matters," she said +soberly. "Is this a particular case?" + +"Decidedly so; the man before he died, was in my employ, but I did not +learn until late yesterday of the condition in which his family was left. +I understand something must be done for them at once. You are always +interested in such cases, so I supposed you would accompany me gladly. It +is extremely disagreeable duty for me." + +"It must be attended to today?" + +"The case is very urgent I am told." + +"But how can I leave my guests--especially Captain West?" + +West leaned forward. + +"Do not hesitate on my account. I can easily amuse myself; or, if there +is room, and it is not disagreeable to Mr. Coolidge, I might enjoy being +of the party." + +"Why, of course," she coincided eagerly. "Why couldn't he come along? +There will be plenty of room if I operate the car. It is a case of +destitution of which Uncle Percival has just learned--a widow and three +children actually suffering. Surely it can do no harm for Captain West to +accompany us?" + +Coolidge exhibited no enthusiasm over the proposition; indeed West felt +his response almost discourteous, yet this very suspicion aroused his +own desire to make one of the party. The fellow evidently disliked him +instinctively, and would exert every influence possible to discredit +him in the eyes of Natalie. The suggestion even came that this sudden +call to charity might prove only an effort on Coolidge's part to get +the girl alone where she could be plainly talked to. The man was not +pleased with this new proposal, that was evident enough; but the niece +unquestionably desired him to accept the invitation. Not only her lips, +but equally her eyes, pressed the matter, and West experienced no +hesitancy in saying yes. + +"Why, of course I will go," he returned heartily, "and I will be ready +whenever you are." + +"About half an hour then." + +He retired to the room upstairs, partly for the purpose of exchanging +his coat, but also half tempted to make a hasty examination of the +valise which Coolidge had thoughtlessly left overnight in the closet. +The conception had already taken strong hold on his mind that his +visitor of the evening before had been the mysterious impersonator of +Natalie Coolidge; and that she had come there with some deliberate +purpose--no-doubt a secret conference with Percival. If her resemblance +to the mistress of the house was as remarkable as he had been led to +believe, her entrance to the place would be comparatively easy of +accomplishment, and the danger of discovery correspondingly small. It +never occurred to him to question Natalie's story. To be sure there were +details he found it difficult to fully accept as true, but the girl +certainly believed all she had told him. She denied earnestly having +been the one invading his room, and he believed her implicitly; yet the +person who had visited him was so closely her image as to make it still +seem almost an impossibility that she could be a separate individual. +Nothing less than Natalie's own word would have brought conviction. And +this person had supposed she was visiting the apartment occupied by +Percival Coolidge. This was the only satisfactory explanation of her +presence there; whether she came that night for the first time, or as a +supplement to other similar visits, it was unquestionably Coolidge +whom she sought. + +For what purpose? To West's mind only one object appeared probable. The +man was too far advanced in life--certainly much above sixty from his +appearance--to be involved in a love affair with so young and attractive +a woman. Moreover in such a case she would scarcely seek him out here in +this private home, where he was merely a transient guest; he would never +venture to use a place like this as a rendezvous. That was unthinkable. +Some other purpose, demanding immediate attention, must furnish the +reason for her venturing to enter this house at such an hour, and coming +directly to the room where she supposed Coolidge to be sleeping. To +West's mind there could be but one answer. The two were mutually involved +in a conspiracy of some nature, undoubtedly connected with the +approaching settlement of the Coolidge estate. This girl, so strangely +resembling Natalie, had in some way been discovered by the scheming +guardian, who was now using her for his own selfish ends. The plot had +been carefully perfected, and the time must now be near for execution. +This girl had been selected, and trained to act a part--the part of +Natalie Coolidge. Her ability to deceive had been tested in various +ways. Now the moment approached when they were ready to play out the real +game. Yet the nature of that game was in no way apparent. He could only +keep quiet, and wait for some further development, even appear +indifferent, while he secretly watched every suspicious movement of +Percival Coolidge. + +It was not at all probable the satchel contained any incriminating +evidence, yet the temptation was strong to obtain, if possible, a hasty +glance at the contents. But for this he was already too late, scarcely +reaching the room indeed, before Sexton appeared, announcing his mission. +West, perched on the arm of a chair, smoking, and watched the man bring +forth the valise, and start toward the door. + +"Coolidge tells me he usually occupied this room," he ventured curiously, +"How did it happen I was put in here?" + +Sexton paused, and faced about respectfully. + +"It was upon orders from Miss Natalie, sir. But she did not mention the +change in time to remove the bag. The truth is, I forgot, sir, that it +was here." + +"Oh, I see; this is not the grip he usually travels with then?" + +"No, sir; this was sent down in advance, sir. Mr. Percival Coolidge is +here quite frequently." + +"Naturally. As I understand he has no home of his own?" + +"No, sir; he was never married, sir. In the city he stops at one of +the big hotels. Of late he quite frequently spends the end of the week +out here, sir. Of course he is deeply interested in the prosperity of +the estate." + +"As the guardian of Miss Natalie, you mean?" + +"Just so, sir." + +"How long have you been here, Sexton?" + +"Sixteen years, sir." + +"You knew Miss Natalie's father then, and must enjoy the place to +remain so long?" + +"It has been very pleasant, sir, until the last month or so," +regretfully, yet evidently glad of the opportunity to talk, lingering +with one hand on the knob of the door. "Since then things haven't been +just the same." + +"In what way?" + +"Well, I don't exactly know, sir. Miss Natalie seems to change her mind, +an' we never can please her. That's the trouble mostly. Last night I +waited up until you all went to bed, an' then locked the house, the way +she told me to. But that didn't suit her at all, for she stopped me on +the stairs, an' made me go back an' leave the side door unlocked--just +said she'd attend to that herself." + +"Miss Natalie told you? You are sure, Sexton?" + +"Oh, it was her, sir; there was a light burning in the hall, an' she was +all dressed up as though she was goin' out. 'Taint the first time, +either. I ain't got no right to say anything, but it puzzles me what she +wants to go out for at that time o' night. And I thought maybe I ought to +speak to Mr. Percival Coolidge about it." + +"No. I wouldn't, Sexton," said West quietly. "It would likely enough only +get you into trouble. Probably she cannot sleep well, and so walks in the +garden. Anyway this is none of our business, my man. Where are Miss +Natalie's apartments?" + +"In the other wing, sir; the first door beyond the head of the stairs." + +"And the door you were asked to leave open?" + +"At the farther end of the hall." + +As West made no further effort to continue the conversation, but began to +carelessly roll a cigarette, Sexton slipped silently through the opening, +the valise in his hand, and closed the door behind him. West touched a +match to the cigarette, scarcely aware of the action. + +This attempt to dig information out of a servant was not a pleasant +experience, yet he felt that in this case it was fully justified. To be +sure he had gained little, yet that little helped to clear away the fog, +and sustain the girl's theory that she was being impersonated by another +even to her own servants. If West had retained any lingering doubt as to +what had occurred the previous night, this doubt had entirely vanished in +the face of Sexton's testimony. His visitor, and the one who had ordered +the servant to leave the side door unlocked, had been the same--not +Natalie Coolidge, but strangely resembling her. Whoever she was, she knew +the house well, and possessed some means of entrance. Whatever else her +purpose might be, one object was clearly connected with the presence +there of Percival. She had sought his room, fleeing immediately on +discovering it to be occupied by another. Very well! this meant that he +already had two distinct lines of investigation opened to him--the woman, +and the man. The first was like pursuing a shadow, but Coolidge was real +enough. He determined to keep in touch with the fellow, confident that he +would thus be eventually led to a discovery of his companion. Beyond all +question, they were involved in the same scheme of conspiracy. West had +deliberately arrived at this conclusion, rather pleased at his success, +when a gentle knock sounded at the door. + +"What is it?" + +"Sexton, sir. Miss Natalie has the car at the door, and is waiting for +you." + +"All right. I will be down immediately." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +A VISIT TO THE INDIGENT + + +The guests had either retired to their rooms, or were wandering about +the spacious grounds; at least none were in evidence when West emerged +on to the side terrace, where Miss Natalie and Percival Coolidge +waited. The car was an electric runabout, the single broad seat ample +for the three, and West found himself next to the girl who took charge. +Few words were exchanged until they turned into the main high-way, +headed toward the city. Even then conversation scarcely touched on the +special object of their trip. Indeed, Coolidge seemed inclined to avoid +the subject entirely, turning the conversation into other channels +whenever the matter was broached. This was so persistently done as to +arouse West's notice, but Natalie appeared indifferent, interested only +in her guidance of the car. It was not a long ride, the point sought +being a short submerged street in the southwestern section of the +city. To West this district was entirely unknown, even the street names +being unfamiliar, but he learned through the conversation of the others +that they were in the neighbourhood of some of the Coolidge factories, +many of the surrounding houses being the homes of employees. Percival +called his attention to a few of these, more substantial than the +others, as evidence of the wages paid in their establishments, and also +expatiated to some extent upon the benevolent oversight shown their +workmen. The girl, however, remained quiet, her attention concentrated +upon the street. + +Indeed it needed to be if they were to escape accident, for the streets +traversed were, on this Sunday morning, evidently filled from curb to +curb with children engaged in all manner of games, with their elders +massed on the steps in front of the houses, watching them apathetically. +The runabout felt its way cautiously forward through the jostling throng +of screaming youngsters, and finally turned into Arch Street, only two +blocks in length, with low, two storied, wooden cottages on either side. +Percival, plainly nervous at the surroundings, indicated the place +sought in the middle of the first block, and Natalie ran the car up +against the curb. + +"Is this the place?" she asked doubtfully, eyeing the rather +disreputable cottage, which seemed deserted. "I have never been +here before. What a mass of kids! Do they always play like that in +the street?" + +Coolidge unfastened the door, and stepped out. + +"Yes, it's all right," he answered sharply. "You might wait here, West; +we'll only be gone a few minutes. Come along, Natalie," + +The girl hesitated, evidently not altogether satisfied. + +"Is it necessary that I go in?" she asked. + +"That was why I asked you to come," impatiently. "Because you understand +these matters, and, being a woman, can judge better what steps should be +taken. Come; it will only require a few moments--West won't mind." + +"Certainly not," the younger man said heartily, "I shall be very +comfortable; don't bother about me." + +He had a distinct impression that Coolidge did not desire his company any +further, yet this suspicion aroused no resentment. This was a matter with +which he was in no way concerned, and the only interest he felt was +strictly impersonal. His eyes followed the two as they advanced up the +board walk to the front door of the cottage, and he felt a measure of +surprise at seeing Coolidge calmly open the door without knocking. Both +disappeared amidst the darkness within, and he dismissed the whole affair +from his mind almost instantly. Sinking comfortably back in the seat, his +gaze centred on the maze of children playing in the street. Their antics +amused him for some time, but, at last, he began wondering at the delay +of those within, and his mind drifted to the peculiar conditions with +which he was confronted. Over and over again he reviewed the facts told +him, and compared these with his own observations. That something was +wrong was beyond doubt; he could no longer question this, but no +satisfactory clue to the mystery had yet presented itself. If some +conspiracy was on foot against Natalie, what could be its object? and who +were directly involved? There was apparently no way to settle this, +except to wait patiently for some move on the part of the others. Any +attempt at guessing would only lead him astray. Seemingly, Percival +Coolidge was the only person who could be directly interested should +misfortune occur to his niece; he was the guardian of her inheritance, +and responsible for what remained of her father's estate. Undoubtedly he +also was the next heir at law. His interest in the matter was therefore +easily figured out. Yet there was nothing to prove that the fellow was a +villain at heart, or had any reason to attempt desperate methods. The +mere fact that some other woman amused herself in pretending to be +Natalie proved nothing criminally wrong. It might be a mere lark, with no +vicious object in view. Indeed, but for the deep interest West already +felt in the girl herself, he would have dismissed this angle of the +problem entirely from consideration. It seemed far too melodramatic and +improbable to be taken seriously, although, from mere curiosity, he +purposed to round up this masquerader, and satisfy himself as to why she +was thus publicly impersonating the girl. Yet this appeared a matter of +minor importance, his real task being to learn the condition of the +Steven Coolidge estate, and whether or not, Percival had administered it +justly. Once satisfied upon that point, he would know better what further +steps to take. His whole mind had unconsciously centred upon a distrust +of the man. He believed him to be a sneaking scoundrel, at present +engaged in seeking some means for gaining possession of the trust funds +left in his care. And yet, West had to confess to himself that this +belief was largely founded upon prejudice--confidence in Natalie, and a +personal dislike of the man himself. He possessed no proof of the +fellow's perfidy, nor had he even determined in his own mind the means to +be employed for learning the truth. He had nothing to build upon but the +statement of the girl, which was extremely vague in detail, and largely +mere suspicion. The more thoroughly he analyzed the situation the more +complicated it became, and the less confident he felt regarding an early +solution. If Coolidge was engaged in some criminal scheme the man was +certainly shrewd enough to carefully cover his trail. It was no sudden +temptation to which he had yielded, but a deeply laid plan, formed, +perhaps, as long ago as his brother's death, and now just coming to a +head. Even the books of the estate might have been so carefully +manipulated as to leave no clue. Besides West possessed no authority by +which to examine the books, or even question the bankers in whose hands +the funds were supposed to be. The only immediate hope of striking a +trail apparently lay in his discovery of the strange woman who was +impersonating Natalie Coolidge, and learning her object in carrying on +such a masquerade. Of course, even that might lead nowhere in particular, +as she might be merely amusing herself, and have no connection with +Percival whatever; yet such an investigation offered a chance not to be +neglected. + +His glance took in the surroundings, but with no conception that they +would have any direct bearing upon the mystery he was endeavouring to +solve. It was a block of irregular houses, a tenement on the corner, a +dirty looking brick, the other houses of wood, mostly two stories in +height, rather disreputable in appearance, but the one before which the +machine waited, was a frame cottage, well back from the street, and +rather respectable in appearance, although it must have been some years +since last painted. Its original white was dingy, and the tightly +closed blinds gave an appearance of desertion. The door was shut. The +chimney indicated no sign of smoke, the front yard gave every evidence +of long neglect. + +An urchin, chasing a ball, plunged recklessly beneath the auto, emerging +with the sphere in his grimy fist. West stopped him with a question. + +"Who lives in there?" + +"I do' know." + +"You don't know? Live 'round here, don't you?" + +"Sure; but these folks just come in. They ain't got no kids. G'wn; what +yer asking me fer? Here ye are, Micky!" + +"Wait a minute. Here's a dime for you. You say these people just +moved in?" + +"Yep." + +"When?" + +"Couple days maybe. Shucks, mister, I do' know. Hooligans moved out 'bout +a week ago, an' then, a while after that, these guys moved in. I ain't +seen nobody round, but a sorter middlin' ol' woman. Maybe Micky knows who +they be--he lives in that next house. Hey, Micky; here's a guy wants to +ask you som'thin'!" + +But Micky refused to be interested, beyond a derisive wiggling of his +fingers at his nose, and West, having abstracted all the information +possible, made no further effort. The knowledge thus obtained as to the +present occupants of the cottage did not exactly coincide with the story +Coolidge had told. He had spoken of a widow with three children in +destitute circumstances following the father's death. The boy asserted +there were no children in the family. And they had just moved in, within +a very few days, during which time the neighbourhood had only glimpsed a +"middling old" woman. It was strange at least, adding distinctly to the +puzzle of the whole affair. West grew nervous, wondering why the two +should remain so long within, out of sight and hearing. If this was +merely a charitable visit, it surely did not need require such a length +of time. He had been waiting now for three-quarters of an hour. He opened +the door of the car, and stepped out upon the curb, almost tempted to +investigate the cause of delay. As he stood there undecided, the two +emerged from the cottage, and descended the steps together. Through the +opened door he caught no glimpse of any one within, yet some unseen hand +closed it quickly behind them. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +A NEW MISS COOLIDGE + + +They came down the narrow board walk together, Percival carefully holding +the lady's arm to prevent her tripping over the loosened planks, but +neither exchanging a word. The man was smiling, the fingers of one hand +toying with the curl of his moustache, but Natalie appeared somewhat +sobered by her visit, and West noticed that she had tied a light veil +over her face, which slightly shadowed her features. It was only as they +reached the curb that she spoke, her voice rather low and listless. + +"Would you mind driving the car back?" she asked Coolidge. "Really I feel +quite unnerved." + +"No wonder," he returned sympathetically, "I have never witnessed a +sadder case; the conditions were even worse than I imagined. I should +never have brought you with me, my dear." + +"Oh, I am not sorry I came; but it has been a lesson to me. I do not +think before I ever realized what such poverty meant." + +The words trembled from her lips, and were spoken slowly as though +chosen with care. "The sad plight of the children particularly +appealed to me." + +"There are children then?" West questioned, as Coolidge assisted her +into the car. The latter cast a swift glance of inquiry into the younger +man's face. + +"Children!" he exclaimed, "Of course; we spoke of them on the way down." + +"I know; that was what made me wonder when one of the lads playing out +here in the street said there were no kids in the cottage." + +"Oh, I see," a bit sarcastically. "So you have been amusing yourself +questioning the neighbours, have you?" + +"To a very small extent," West confessed, keeping his temper. "One of the +players chased a stray ball under the automobile, and I asked him a +question or two. The cottage appeared so deserted, and you were absent +for such a length of time, I became somewhat curious." + +"And what did he tell you?" + +"Only that the occupants had moved in within a few days, and that he had +seen no kids about; no one in fact but a middling old woman." + +"Did he mention any names?" + +"No; I didn't ask. It was nothing to me." + +"I should say it was not. So the kid told you there were no children, +did he? Well, you heard what Natalie said just now--which are you going +to believe?" + +"The lady, of course," smilingly. "Surely this is no matter to +quarrel over." + +"No, Captain West," she broke in, leaning forward in the seat, and +speaking again in the peculiar strained voice. "The boy was merely +mistaken. He had not seen the children because they were kept closely in +the house. They were turned out of their former home, and have absolutely +nothing; no furniture even; only straw to sleep on. It was most pitiful." + +"Do not think of it any longer, Natalie," Coolidge insisted rather +gruffly. "They are all right now. I shall telephone for a doctor as soon +as we get back, and attend to the rent the first thing tomorrow." + +"I know, Uncle, but I cannot forget so easily. Do you know anything about +poverty, Captain West?" + +"Nothing very direct. Of course, in a way I have occasionally come in +contact with suffering of that nature. I have been hungry enough in +the army, but usually I have experienced little need. I regret," he +added apologetically, "that what I said was taken as criticism. I had +no such meaning." + +"Criticism!" Coolidge turned the car around as he spoke. "Be as free with +that as you please; what I object to is your intruding at every +opportunity. It looks as though you were trying to find out something--is +that your game?" + +"Not at all. I naturally spoke to the kid, and the only topic which +occurred to me at the moment concerned the people you were visiting. I +see no occasion for any misunderstanding." + +"And there is none," she asserted cordially, her eyes meeting his own +frankly. "So let's drop the subject, and enjoy our ride. I am not going +to have the whole day spoiled because of these people. They are all right +now. What is that big building over there?" + +Coolidge emitted some answer, but devoted his attention to running the +car, his jaw set. It was clear enough that West's explanation was not +altogether satisfactory, and his dislike for the younger man had in no +way lessened. The young woman, however, easily regained her vivacity, and +devoted herself to making the ride homeward as pleasant as possible. West +found her unusually entertaining, with a deep sense of humor he had not +before suspected, and an occasional lapse into slang which rather +surprised him. He had previously entertained the thought that she was +rather conventional and not particularly easy to approach, but this +conception vanished quickly in a free flow of conversation, to which +Coolidge apparently paid small attention. Indeed, there were moments when +her extreme frankness of speech rather surprised West, even her voice +striking strangely upon his ears, but the happy laugh, and swift glance +of the eyes reassured him. No doubt she was playing a part for the +benefit of Percival Coolidge in which he must co-operate. Later all would +be explained, and made clear. This belief encouraged him to keep up his +end of the conversation, ignoring Coolidge entirely, and devoting his +attention exclusively to her. + +The returning ride seemed very brief, and, almost before West realized +it, the car whirled in through the Coolidge gate, and came to a stop at +the door. Coolidge by this time had recovered from his spell of +ill-nature, or else chose to so appear, and the party separated +pleasantly. Natalie disappeared somewhere within, while the two men +strolled out to the tennis court where the guests were enjoying a +spirited game. All met again at lunch, and then separated, some to motor +over to the lake, the others amusing themselves as they saw fit. Both +Coolidge and Natalie vanished, while West, finding himself alone, chose a +book from the library, and, solaced by a cigar, sought a shady nook on +the porch. + +The book, however, was but a mark for his thoughts, which continually +revolved about the strange surroundings in which he found himself. He was +apparently making no progress, was no nearer a solution of the mystery +confronting him. Thus far, at least, no direct clue had presented itself. +Numerous things had occurred to strengthen suspicion, and to increase +interest in the quest. But beyond this--nothing. He liked the girl and +was completely enlisted in her service. He disliked Percival, and was +convinced the fellow was planning evil. Several incidents had already +strengthened this belief; yet there was nothing positive upon which to +build; no path of adventure for him to follow. To speculate was easy +enough, but real facts eluded him. + +Yet, in spite of this feeling of failure, West's reflections centred more +upon the young woman than upon the particular problem which he had to +solve. The ride back from the city had revealed a phase of her character +he had never observed before--she had shown herself vivacious, light of +speech, a bit slangy and audacious. He was not altogether sure that this +new revealment quite pleased him, and yet it possessed a certain charm. +He had before learned to think of her as rather quiet and reserved, and +now must change his whole conception. It was difficult to adjust his mind +at once to the different standard. He found himself wondering why she had +afforded him glimpses of her nature so strangely unlike. What could have +occurred within the cottage to thus make so suddenly manifest this new +side to her character? The change in her only served to increase the +mystery, and, he confessed, his admiration also. Her very freedom +evidenced to his mind that he was really accepted, had been taken into a +new intimacy; no longer to be held and treated as an interloper, a +stranger employed for a purpose. She had deliberately cast aside the +conventional, and become natural in his presence--free to speak and act +as the spirit moved. This was a victory, and he chose to interpret it as +proof that she already really liked and trusted him. Actuated by this +feeling, she no longer deemed it necessary to dissemble in his presence. +It was a long step in advance. + +He had arrived at this very pleasant conclusion, when Sexton appeared in +the door, evidently looking for some one. The man espied him there in +the shadow of the vines, and came forward. + +"Miss Coolidge requests your presence, sir, for a few moments," he +said gravely. + +"Why, certainly; did she say where, Sexton?" + +"In the library, sir; she is waiting there now." + +West hesitated an instant. There was a question he was eager to ask, but +immediately thought better of it. Interviewing servants was not in his +line, and there were other ways of learning the truth. + +"Very well," he said quietly. "I will join her at once. Thank you, +Sexton," and disappeared into the cool, darkened hall. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +AN UNEXPECTED DISMISSAL + + +The shades had been drawn closely to exclude the sun, and, for a moment +after he first crossed the threshold of the library, West was unable to +distinguish any occupant. He heard Sexton silently close the door behind +him, but it was not until she moved slightly that he was able to +perceive her presence directly across from where he stood. Her voice +broke the silence. + +"You will find a seat next to the window, Captain," she said quietly. "It +was very good of you to come." + +"The pleasure was mine," he replied. "Only I am blinded coming in here +from the bright sunshine without." + +"I have had a touch of headache--nervous, no doubt, from the visit this +morning--and so ordered Sexton to draw the shades. Your eyes will soon +accustom themselves to the lack of light. I see you quite well." + +"Oh, I am all right now," and he sank into the vacant chair, facing her, +expectantly. "You wished to speak with me, the servant said." + +"Yes," she leaned back against the couch on which she rested, with face +now clearly revealed, one hand nervously twirling a fan. "Although it is +not easy for me to transform into words exactly what I mean. This is a +very strange situation in which we find ourselves, Captain West." + +"I have felt so," he admitted, surprised at this beginning. "Yet I must +confess, I am now becoming quite reconciled." + +She sat up suddenly, with eyes searching his face. + +"What do you mean by that?" + +"Perhaps I ought not to say," he answered boldly. "Yet circumstances +seemingly justify frankness between us. I mean that I feel far more +deeply interested in the final outcome of this affair today than I did +yesterday--it means more to me." + +"Indeed! Why?" + +"Largely, I imagine, because I am privileged to know you much better. +That naturally makes a difference." + +"Does it indeed? You imply then an increased interest in myself as an +individual brings with it a greater desire to serve me?" + +"Assuredly, yes." + +"Then you render my task doubly hard," she said soberly, yet with a +certain hardness in the tone. "I had not suspected any personal side +whatever. You were a total stranger to me, Captain West, and I employed +you in this matter merely in a business way, as--as--a detective. Surely +you understood this clearly?" + +"In a measure that is quite true," feeling the sharp sting of her words. +"Yet the comparison is hardly fair, is it? I am not a detective in the +sense with which you employ the term. No question of pay even has been +discussed between us. The appeal to my services was from an entirely +different stand-point. More, you even investigated rather carefully my +social and financial standing before taking me into your confidence, or +admitting me to your home. Is this not true?" + +"Undoubtedly. I had reason to wish assurance in these matters. I had to +present you to my friends." + +"Yet this very knowledge of my social position placed me on a totally +different plane from that of a detective picked up at some agency. You +knew I was not serving you for pay." + +"Did I?" + +"I should hope you did," his voice hardening slightly. + +"But for what other end did you volunteer your services?" + +"Perhaps that is not so easily explained. It was a spirit of adventure +which first led me to answer your advertisement, I presume. At least, I +can give it no other name. Then, when we met, you appealed to me +personally; I felt a desire to further our acquaintance and--well, your +story aroused my interest." + +"Is that all?" + +"It might have been had not you chosen methods of procedure which led me +to other thoughts." + +She laughed. + +"Oh, I see! All this has happened because I introduced you to the others +as my fiancé. Why, that is positively funny. Didn't you know that was +only a part of the game being played?" + +"Yes," he said, ignoring the humour of it, and feeling oddly sober, "I +understood, and was playing, the same as you. Only both of us, I think, +forget an important fact." + +"What, please?" + +"That we were young, socially on a level, and that you were an +exceedingly charming young woman." + +She laughed again, yet this time with more restraint. + +"That is quite ridiculous, Captain West. Surely, you are not actually +making love to me?" + +"No, I am not. I am merely facing the situation very frankly. It would be +useless for me to claim lack of interest in you. From our very first +meeting, you have appealed to me strongly--more so than any other woman +of my acquaintance. Then, perhaps, the peculiarity of our relationship, +with the trust you seemed to impose in me, tended to deepen that +interest. I confess I began to care for you--as a woman." + +"Really you are quite flattering. I never dreamed I possessed such +marvellous powers." She remained silent a moment, her eyes shaded by +their long lashes; then uplifted them again to his face. "This makes it +all the more necessary that I now speak plainly," she went on at length. +"That I should explain to you it has all been a mistake. That was why I +asked you to come here now." + +"All a mistake! Not the trouble you were in surely?" + +"Yes. I must have dreamed most of it, I think. I have just had a long +confidential talk with Percival Coolidge, and we understand each other +perfectly. Everything has been explained. So there is no necessity for +our pretending any longer." + +West rose to his feet, comprehending her full meaning, yet unwilling to +yield his position without further explanation. + +"Your words are certainly plain enough," he said slowly, "yet I trust I +may be pardoned if I ask a question or so." + +"Is it necessary?" + +"Perhaps not, but I feel my curiosity is justified. You told me a rather +remarkable story and requested my aid in the solving of a strange +mystery. Now you abruptly dismiss me from that service. Do you mean the +mystery is already solved without my further assistance?" + +"I am convinced there was no mystery; that it was only imagination, +Captain West. My calling you was a mistake." + +"Percival Coolidge assures you of this?" + +"Positively; we have discussed it from every angle, and all that appeared +mysterious has been made clear." + +"There is no one else impersonating you?" + +"No." + +"The checks at the bank; the strange person using your name; all these +were myths?" + +She laughed. + +"Of course. I really believed all I said to you at the time, but +everything has been explained since, and I realize how very foolish I +have been. Uncle Percival has been very nice about it. He simply didn't +understand before how worried I was." + +"No doubt. You sent for me then merely to say I was dismissed?" + +"Yes." + +"And you told Coolidge, of course, how I came to be here?" + +"Yes." + +"And the others? What will they think?" + +"Why, that can make no difference. They can be told that you were +suddenly called away. Let them suppose we had a quarrel, and that our +engagement is broken," and she laughed again, evidently vastly amused +at the idea. + +"But you, personally?" he insisted. + +She sobered instantly, also rising, and facing him. + +"Captain West, let us be sensible. I invited you here for a certain +purpose. You were employed as much as any of my other servants. Is that +a sufficient answer?" + +"It certainly is. I will depart at once." + +"Thank you. The limousine will be at the door. You will return to the +Club, I presume?" + +"Temporarily, until other arrangements are made." + +He bowed and left her standing there in the shadows, the expression of +her face veiled, but there seemed no response, no softening in the +rigid attitude of her figure. She did not care; was only interested in +his immediate departure. The change had occurred with such abruptness, +West was unable as yet to realize its full significance, but, with no +attempt to combat her decision, left the room, closing the door behind +him. In that moment his mood changed. The dismissal had been so curt, +his pride rose in rebellion. Finding Sexton in the front hall, he +addressed him crisply. + +"My bag will be ready in ten minutes." + +"Yes, sir; you are going away, sir?" + +"Immediately. A call to return to the city at once." + +"I am very sorry, sir," he said respectfully, yet in a tone of such +earnestness, as to cause West to glance toward him sharply. For an +instant it was upon the lips of the younger man to ask a question, but +Sexton turned away, and it remained unasked. Promptly at the time +mentioned came the servant's soft rap on the door. + +"I came for the bag, sir." + +West handed it over with a glance at the rather expressionless face. + +"You said you regretted to see me leave, Sexton," he remarked jovially. +"I presume you meant nothing in particular by that remark?" + +"Oh, no, sir," standing motionless, bag in hand. "Only you have been very +kind, sir, and--and--of course, it is none of my business, but I hope +there is no quarrel, sir?" + +"Quarrel! With Miss Natalie, you mean? Why should you suspect that?" + +"I--I spoke, sir, very thoughtlessly, sir," he stammered. "You will +pardon me, sir." + +"Yes, but you must have had a reason, Sexton?" + +"Only that she has seemed very much out of humour, sir, since her trip to +town," he explained rather lamely. "I have never known her to be so hard +to please, sir. I'm sure something is wrong, but that is no reason why I +should say what I did, sir." + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE BODY OF A SUICIDE + + +As the car whirled West down the circling driveway, the only sign of +life visible about the house was the motionless figure of Sexton on the +steps. If either Miss Natalie, or Percival Coolidge, took interest enough +in the proceedings to witness his departure, they chose to remain +carefully concealed within. His glance searched the front of the mansion +vainly; no window revealed an occupant. From behind where the guests were +at play, sounded a distant murmur of voices, and laughter, but the house +itself expressed only calm indifference. There was no pretence even at +speeding the parting guest. He had simply been dismissed, turned out, +decently enough, perhaps, considering his status, yet with a certain +measure of contempt which rankled nevertheless. + +The young man could not altogether reconcile this style of treatment with +his preconceived conception of Miss Natalie Coolidge. He had been too +deeply impressed by her to easily relinquish his previously formed +opinion of her character. This latest action did not at all coincide with +her former open friendliness. He had not gone to her as a servant, nor +had she in any way treated him as such. What could account for so +remarkable a change? Even if she had felt his present usefulness was +ended; that she had made a mistake in ever admitting him to her +confidence, the dismissal could have been much more pleasantly achieved. +She could still have exhibited friendliness, and an interest in his +departure. Her words and manner had been extremely abrupt, and her +explanation far from satisfactory. + +Perhaps it was the influence of Percival Coolidge which accounted for the +sudden change in the girl. This explanation seemed probable. The man had +in some way regained her confidence, and then, through trickery, had +succeeded in poisoning her mind. There was no doubt he would do this, if +possible, and the probability was that he had finally discovered a way. +From the very first, West had felt the antagonism of the other; there had +never been any love lost between them. Coolidge disliked him +instinctively, and made no effort to conceal his feelings; he resented +the intimacy between him and Natalie, naturally enough, and would use +every means possible to get the younger man completely out of the house. +No doubt he looked upon him as dangerous. But why? There could only be +one answer to this query. His own dishonesty; his secret knowledge of +some trickery relative to the funds of the estate. He had convinced the +girl of his honesty, but, more than ever, West believed the fellow a +rascal. His very helplessness to intervene rendered him the more +convinced. + +These thoughts flitted through his mind, yet not consecutively, as the +car left the grounds, and turned on to the main road, leading citywards. +They were still skirting the Coolidge estate, although the house behind +was concealed by shrubbery. The road descending into a ravine spanned by +a concrete bridge, and a rather dense growth of trees shut out the +surrounding landscape. Nothing moving was in sight. Suddenly, just as +they cleared the bridge, and began to mount the opposite grade, there +came a sharp report, sounding so close at hand the chauffeur clamped on +his brake, and glanced anxiously over the side of the car. + +"Blow-out, wasn't it, sir?" + +"No," said West shortly, staring himself out into the thicket of trees at +their left. "It was a shot fired over there; a revolver I should say. +Wait a second, Sanders, until I see what has happened." + +It was largely curiosity which led him to leave the car. The very +conviction that it was a revolver which had been discharged brought a +desire to learn the cause of the shot. The sound of either a rifle or a +shot-gun in that lonely spot would have been instantly dismissed as +natural enough, but a pistol was different. That was no place for such a +weapon. It somehow had a grimly sinister sound. Led forward by a dim +path, he plunged down the sharp incline of the hill, and pressed his way +through the thick fringe of trees beyond. Behind these ran a wire fence, +guarding a stretch of meadow, the high, uncut grass waving in the wind. +Nothing was in sight except this ripening field of clover sweeping upward +to the summit of an encircling ridge. The silence was profound; the +loneliness absolute. + +It was this fact which startled West from curiosity into suspicion. +Surely there had been a shot fired--a revolver shot--almost on the very +spot where he stood. He could not doubt the evidence of his own ears. Yet +who had fired? For what purpose? and how had the party disappeared so +completely during that narrow margin of time? There was no place where a +man could hide unless he lay flat in the clover; and what occasion would +any one have to thus seek concealment? Even if the shooter knew of the +passing automobile, or heard his approach through the trees, there could +be no reasonable cause for concealment. Determined now to learn exactly +what had happened, West pressed his passage forward through the vines of +the fence, and emerged into the field beyond. A half dozen yards and he +found the clover trampled, as though a man had passed that way. The trail +led into a shallow depression, past a rather large boulder, near which +the trampling of the grass was even more plainly revealed, as though the +stranger had remained here for some time, had even seated himself, and +then, abruptly ended a few yards away. Evidently the fellow had turned +back at this point, and retraced his steps. + +West, now thoroughly puzzled, and already convinced that some mystery +hovered over the place, began to circle through the untrampled clover, +but without any defined purpose. All at once, at the lower end of the +gully he came, unexpectedly, upon another trail, this one well marked, +apparently frequently used, which led straight across the field, and +terminated at a small gate leading through the wire fence. Evidently +here was a short cut to the road, well known to the servants on the +estate, and possibly others. The discovery, however, told nothing +further than this, and contenting himself with another glance about the +unchanged field of rustling clover, West proceeded along the course of +the path, intending to thus rejoin the automobile, waiting his return +behind the trees. + +Within a few steps of the gate, which was closed, he came to a sudden, +horrified pause, staring ahead at a strange something huddled in the +path. It was a shapeless thing, bearing no resemblance to a human being, +until he advanced closer; then he recognized the form of a man, curled up +as a dog sleeps, face down hidden by his arm, and limbs drawn up, as if +in a sudden spasm of agony. A hat was in the path beyond, where it had +fallen, and a revolver lay glittering in the sunlight a few feet away. +There was nothing familiar about either figure or clothing, yet +unquestionably there lay the body of a suicide. The single shot they had +heard, the tell-tale revolver close to the dead man's hand, were clear +evidence of what had occurred. + +The unexpectedness of this discovery, the peculiar position of the dead +man, the loneliness of that deserted field in which he lay, shocked West +and, for a moment left him strangely hesitant. Who was the man? What +could have led up to the pitiful tragedy? Yet he advanced step by step +nearer to the hideous object in the path. The man had been shot directly +behind the right ear, killed instantly, no doubt, as the deadly bullet +crashed through the brain. West lifted the arm which concealed the face, +already shrinking from the suspicion, which had begun to assail him. Then +he knew who the dead man was--Percival Coolidge. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +SUSPICION VERIFIED + + +Affairs progressed far too rapidly for some hours for West to reflect +seriously over this experience. He could only act swiftly, answer +questions, and do all in his power to assist others. The real meaning of +the tragedy he made no effort to solve; for the time being, at least, he +must leave that to others. + +He stood guard beside the body until servants came and bore it to the +house, but made no effort to follow. Instead he gave his address to +Sexton, and continued his journey into the city. After what had passed +between them he had no desire to again encounter Miss Natalie; and under +these circumstances, actually shrank from meeting her. Just what this +man's death might mean to the girl he could not safely conjecture, yet +deep down in his own heart, he felt convinced that this act of +self-destruction would later prove to be a confession of guilt. Yet, be +that as it may, he was already definitely ruled out of the matter. Not, +unless she personally sent for him, could he ever venture to go to her +again in any capacity. To his mind this decision was final. + +He was called for the inquest and gave his testimony. The hearing was +brief, and the facts ascertained so clear, there remained no doubt in the +minds of any one, but what this was a case of suicide. No particular +attempt was made to probe into the cause, the personal affairs of the +dead man being left for later investigation. West saw Natalie at the +inquest for the very few moments she was upon the stand, but their eyes +did not meet, nor did the girl give any evidence of recognition. She was +pale, yet calm, answering the questions asked her quietly. These +pertained entirely to her last meeting with Coolidge, and had no direct +bearing on the verdict. The moment she was released she retired from the +room; and West merely lingered long enough to learn the decision of the +jury. Somehow the impression the young woman had left upon him in those +few moments was not a pleasant one. He could not clearly analyse this +result, yet she was either acting a part to conceal her true emotions, or +else she was really indifferent. + +It was not until the following day that reason began to reassert itself, +and he succeeded in marshalling the facts of the case more clearly in +his own mind. He even began to doubt and question his own testimony, yet, +before he reached any real conclusion, one of the Club servants +approached his chair. + +"Captain West, there is a man out here asking to see you." + +"A man! Where?" + +"I had him wait in the anteroom, sir. He would give no name, and seems to +be of the working class; so I thought I better tell you first, sir." + +"Very well, Mapes. I'll soon find out what he wants." + +It was Sexton, twirling his hat nervously in his hands, and still +standing irresolutely in the middle of the floor. As sight of West he +took a hasty step forward, eager to explain the cause of his presence. + +"You'll pardon me, sir," he burst forth in apology. "But I must see +you, sir." + +"That's quite all right, Sexton. You have some message?" + +"Not--not from any one else, sir. It's just my own business, but--but I +thought you would help me, sir." + +"Certainly; only too glad. Let's step in here where we can talk quietly." + +He pointed the way into a private card room, closing the door behind +his visitor. + +"Take the seat over there, Sexton. You came in to see me from Fairlawn?" + +"No, sir, I didn't. The fact is, I'm not out there any longer." + +"Not there! What do you mean?" + +"I've been discharged, sir, with two other servants, since the funeral +yesterday." + +"Discharged! Why I understood you had been employed there for years." + +"Several years, sir." + +"And now discharged! By whom? Not Miss Natalie surely?" + +"Yes, sir. She didn't give no reason; just said we were not wanted any +longer. That's one reason why I came here to see you, sir." + +"But I hardly know how I can be of help. I have no house of my own, +and--well, the truth of the matter is, Sexton, just at present I am not +on very good terms with the young lady myself." + +"I know that, sir," more confidently. "And it isn't a position I am +seeking, at all. I have quite a tidy bit of money laid away, and could +get plenty of work. That's not the point, sir. Why should Miss Natalie +tell me to go like that? It isn't a bit like her, sir; she ain't seemed +natural at all lately, and I tell you there's something wrong goin' on +out there. I'm sure o' that, sir." + +"Sure of what?" + +"Well, for one thing, it's my opinion that Percival Coolidge never killed +himself, sir." + +West sat up stiffly, as though struck a blow. These words startled him; +drove his own mind into sudden activity. + +"What makes you think that, Sexton?" he questioned slowly. + +"Well, there's more than one thing," as though glad to have made the +plunge, and anxious to justify himself. "But first of all that wasn't his +revolver they found lying beside him. He always had one in his valise, +an' it's there now, or was when I looked to see." + +"You didn't tell that to the coroner." + +"No, sir; he never put me on the stand. Besides I didn't know about it +then. After I thought about it, I told Miss Natalie, sir." + +"Oh, you did! and what did she say?" + +"She didn't think that proved anything; that he probably had the other in +his pocket." + +"This was before you were dismissed?" + +"Yes, sir; the evening before, sir." + +West whistled gravely, his gaze on the other's face. + +"And is that all, Sexton?" he asked finally. "Is there any other reason +why you doubt Coolidge killed himself?" + +"Did you notice where he was shot, sir?" + +"Behind the right ear; the wound was plainly visible." + +"Not very easy for a man to do himself, sir." + +"No, but possible, nevertheless. The coroner was satisfied on that +point." + +"Yes, sir, but the coroner overlooked one thing, sir. He was sure it was +a suicide case, and wanted to get done with it in a hurry. I and +Simmons, sir, washed the body to get it ready for burial, an' I combed +the hair down over the bullet wound. There wasn't no powder marks on the +skin, an' not a hair was singed, sir. That's what makes me say he never +killed himself." + +West sat silent and motionless, looking straight at the man opposite, +endeavouring to decide on a course of action. Someway in the depth of his +earnestness, Sexton no longer appeared a servant. He was a man, voicing a +man's heart. West realized the change instinctively; here was an +intelligent loyal fellow, to be met frankly, and for the time being, at +least, on the ground of equality. It would be useless to try to either +mislead, or deceive. + +"Sexton," he began finally, "this is a pretty serious charge you make, +my man, but since I have been thinking things over, I confess some +suspicious circumstances have arisen in my own mind. Of course I was +not aware of these facts you have just related, but they fit in nicely +with some observations of my own. The truth is," he confessed frankly, +"I did not tell all I knew to the coroner's jury. I meant to do so, but +the right questions were not asked me, and certain details slipped my +memory until too late. Do you recall a boulder of rock out in that +clover field?" + +"Yes, sir, to the right of the path; it is mostly hidden now by +the growth." + +"Entirely concealed a few yards away. Well, when I crawled through the +fence after hearing that shot fired, I saw nothing, and heard nothing. I +had advanced into the field several rods when I came upon the trail of +some one leading directly north. It was not a path; merely evidence that +a single person had passed that way. I followed, and came to this +boulder. Here there was every proof visible that the previous party had +remained for some time, seated and lying on the ground under protection +of the stone. The occupancy was a recent one. Then evidently, whoever it +was, had advanced to the right in the general direction of the gate +through the fence, near where Coolidge's body was found. The marks of +advance did not lead that far, or even to the marked path through the +field. They ended on a little rise, some ten yards from the boulder, +where the fellow apparently turned about, and retraced his steps." + +"How far was that from the gate into the road, sir?" he asked +breathlessly. + +"Within easy shooting distance for a revolver of that calibre, I should +say. Any good marksman could have rung the bell." + +"And you saw no one?" + +"No; not a sign; the fact is I failed at the time to put two and two +together. The thought of a possible murder never occurred to me. It was +only afterwards that I began to appreciate what all this might mean, and +now what you have said has driven it home." + +"You think it was murder then, sir?" + +"Yes, I do," replied West gravely. "It has all the marks, but who +committed the crime? What was the motive? It will never do for us to make +such a charge, after the coroner's verdict, without positive proof." + +"No, sir." + +"And you know of nothing which might clear this up?" + +"No, sir; I've been with the Coolidges, sir, ever since Miss Natalie was +a little girl, and I ain't heard of any trouble that ought to end in +murder, sir." + +"How old was Miss Coolidge when her father died?" + +"She must have been seventeen, sir." + +"And since then Percival Coolidge had full charge of the estate?" + +"Practically, yes, sir; there was another trustee, but he died; and then, +as I understand, Miss Natalie had some funds of her own." + +West took a cigar from his pocket, and lit it. Although not altogether +clear in his own mind, he had begun to see light. For a moment he smoked +in silence in an endeavour to figure out his own duty, while Sexton, +nervously clinching and unclinching his hands, watched and waited. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +AGAINST A STONE WALL + + +Was this discovery anything to him? What difference could it make whether +Percival Coolidge had died by his own hand, or been treacherously shot +from ambush? How would it benefit Natalie Coolidge to have the truth +revealed? And, if it would benefit her, why should he devote his time and +labour to such an effort? She had cast him off, thrown him aside; her +affairs had no further interest for him. Let her lawyer take care of +them. These were West's first thoughts. + +All true, yet this state of mind brought no satisfaction. He was +interested; he could not escape his first impressions of the girl, or +drive from him a desire to serve her, whether she wished it, or not. +She might, indeed, be in equal danger from an assassin. He could not +determine this until he learned the cause of the slaying of Percival. +Then, on the other hand, suppose some one else's suspicions were also +aroused. Who would they naturally look to as guilty of this horrible +crime? There was but one answer--Natalie Coolidge. She was seemingly +the only person to directly benefit by this sudden death. All these +considerations urged him on, overcame his doubt and indecision. Then +he desired to learn the truth himself. His eyes rested on Sexton's +anxious face. + +"I've been thinking it over," he admitted quietly, "and I guess it is up +to you and me to find out what this means." + +"Yes, sir," hesitatingly. "You--you don't think it was Miss +Natalie, sir?" + +"No, I do not, Sexton. I have my own reasons for saying that. Yet +naturally she is the one to be first suspected. Do you know anything?" + +"Only that I am sure she was in the garden, sir, when the shot was fired. +I saw her there just after you drove away." + +"That is conclusive then, so far as her personal actions are concerned. +But there is an odd angle to this matter, and I might as well explain it +to you first as last. Perhaps you can help figure the oddness out. I was +not engaged to Miss Natalie, Sexton; I was not even a friend. I came to +the house, employed to perform a certain task. She introduced me as her +fiancé merely to explain my presence there, and make the way clear. It +was the impulse of a moment." + +"You don't say, sir! What, may I ask, was it you was expected to do?" + +"To discover who was masquerading in this city under her name." + +"Was there some one, sir?" + +"So she told me; we went into that rather thoroughly. She claimed it had +been going on for some months; checks had been cashed at the bank; even +her servants had been approached by some one so closely resembling her as +to deceive them; and she had been reported at various places she never +visited. She was very much exercised over it." + +"And she engaged you just to find this other woman?" + +"Yes; her lawyer and Percival Coolidge only laughed at her story." + +"But you believed it, sir?" + +"Well, perhaps not at first altogether. It seemed too strange and +impossible. I thought something must have got on her nerves and caused +her to imagine things. But the first night I remained out there gave me a +shock. I do not know whether I left my door unlocked, or whether a +pass-key was used, but I woke up suddenly to discover a woman in the +room. I only had a glimpse of her, for she slipped out instantly, and +disappeared down the hall; but it was moonlight and I would have sworn +the intruder was Miss Natalie. I asked her the next day." + +"And she denied being there?" + +"Absolutely, and convinced me it was true. There is no doubt in my mind, +Sexton, but what she really is being impersonated by some one who +resembles her most remarkably. Who this person is I have not the remotest +idea; nor what her real object can be. Just at this moment, I am inclined +to believe it has something to do with the Coolidge estate--a criminal +scheme of some kind, and that Percival Coolidge had connection with it." + +"I can hardly believe that, sir." + +"No doubt you find it difficult. You told me yourself that had always +been his room, the one I occupied." + +"Yes, sir." + +"That woman knew it; she came there to consult with him." He stopped +suddenly. "By Gad! Sexton, maybe she came there to kill him. I hadn't +thought of that." + +"It is too much for me, sir," the other said soberly. "I don't know why +any one should want to kill him. But there's got to be a reason +somewhere. Where was it the three of you went on Sunday in the runabout, +Captain West?" + +"To a house over in the factory district; some charity case that Coolidge +was interested in--the widow of one of his employees, I believe." + +"Did you see the people?" + +"No, I didn't go in; waited outside in the car; it was no affair of mine. +Why?" he asked in surprise. + +"Because, sir, Miss Natalie seemed like a different person when she got +back. Not in looks, or nothing like that I don't mean, but in the way she +talked and acted. Nothing suited her all the rest of the day. You know +how she was to you, sir. Well she was just that snappy with all of us, +even after we brought the body back to the house. And she wouldn't look +at him, sir, not even after he was dressed proper and laid out. She just +went off up stairs, and stayed there; had a bit of toast an' tea, an' +that's all." + +"I hardly believe," said West thoughtfully, "you can attribute her state +of mind to anything that occurred on that trip. Indeed she was in high +spirits all the way home." + +"I can't help that, sir," Sexton insisted blindly. "It was something that +happened yesterday what set her wrong, an' if I was you, sir, I'd find +out what happened in that house first of all. Could you find the place?" + +"Yes, I think so. I'll look it up, although I don't have much faith in +your theory." He glanced at his watch. "I'll go out there now. You come +back here about five, and we will talk over any discoveries I may make." + +"And what shall I do, sir?" + +Both were standing, West with hand on the knob of the door. The light in +his eyes hardened. + +"Nothing occurs to me now, Sexton, unless you can find an excuse to +return to Fairlawn, after something you have forgotten, let us say. If we +can learn what Miss Natalie proposes doing it might furnish a clue." + +"Very well, sir, and I am to be here at five o'clock?" + +"Yes, at five; I will leave word with the doorman to show you in at +once." + +West picked up a taxi-cab for the trip, bidding the chauffeur to drive to +a certain section of the city, and then up and down the various streets +until told to stop. He had no idea that his quest would reveal anything +of importance relative to the death of Coolidge, yet no better +suggestion occurred to him and he felt that he must do something. His +conversation with Sexton had greatly strengthened his conviction that +this was a murder, and he had determined to ferret out the truth if +possible. Yet, thus far there was nothing to build upon, no clue, no +motive, no suspicion as to who had perpetrated the deed. He simply faced +a blank wall, in which no entrance was apparent, yet there must be one, +if he was only fortunate enough to stumble upon it. Deep down in his +heart West was conscious that he possessed a motive in this search far +more worthy than mere curiosity. That motive was Natalie Coolidge. He +smiled at the thought, yet confessed it true. In spite of her curt +dismissal, his memory of the girl centred about those earlier hours of +their acquaintance. Something mysterious had occurred to make her change +so quickly, and he was unwilling to condemn her before learning the real +reason. This murder must have some relation to the Coolidge estate; he +could conceive of no other motive for such a cold-blooded affair; and +hence its solving must prove of vital importance to her and her future. +Now, when the verdict of the coroner's jury had been suicide, and when +only he, and the servant Sexton suspected otherwise, it was of the +utmost importance that they endeavour to unravel the crime. For her +sake he could do no less, thus serving and protecting her to the best of +his ability. + +The chauffeur drove slowly up and down obscure streets for half an hour +before West recognized familiar surroundings, and motioned for him to +draw up against the curb. He had discovered the place sought, but from +the street it exhibited no signs of occupancy, nor did any knocking at +the front door bring response from within. He circled the building, +finding an uncurtained window at the rear, which merely revealed an +unfurnished room. Every door was locked, but, as he passed along the +other side to regain the taxi, a man emerged from the next house, and +hailed him. + +"Say, what're yer snoopin' round there for? Lookin' for somebody?" + +"Yes, the parties who were here Sunday. What's become of them." + +"Hobart, you mean?" + +"Is that his name? I met him down town, and he told me to come here," +West explained rapidly. "We had a deal on." + +"Oh, yer did, hey," leaning his arms on the fence. "Well, Jim Hobart was +the name he giv' me. That's my house, which is why I happen to know +what his name was. Something queer about that fellar, I reckon, but +'tain't none o' my business. You ain't a detective, or nothin' like +that, are yer?" + +"Nothing at all like that," West laughed, although interested. "Why? Did +you think the police might be after him?" + +"Not for anything I know about, only he skipped out mighty sudden. Paid +me a month rent, and only stayed there three days. That looks sorter +queer. Then Sunday that fellar what committed suicide out south--I read +about in the papers--came to see him in a car. I got a boy workin' in his +factory; that's how I come to know who the guy was. The next night +Hobart, an' them with him, just naturally skipped out. So I didn't know +but what the police might want him for something." + +"I don't know anything about that. I just called on a private matter. +Where did he go to?" + +"Hell, man, I didn't even know he was goin'." + +"Who did he have with him here--a family?" + +"A woman 'bout his age I should say, an' a younger one. I didn't see 'em +only from the window; didn't get no sight o' the girl's face at all, but +could tell the way she walked she was young. They didn't have nothin' +with 'em; that's all my stuff in the house there." + +Feeling the uselessness of trying to learn anything more, West thanked +him, and returned to the taxi. + +"Back to the Club," he ordered briefly, and settled into his seat to +think. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +238 WRAY STREET + + +The information thus gained had been small enough, yet sufficient to +stimulate his belief that he was at least upon the right trail. The +sudden departure of this man Hobart, and the fact that no young children +were in the family, were important items to consider. Coolidge then had +not visited this cottage to aid a widow and orphans. There had been some +other object in his call. The girl must have known and understood the +real purpose; that was why they both acquiesced so readily to his +remaining outside in the car. It was part of their mutual plan to thus +leave him in ignorance. Yet they had made a mistake in taking him along +at all. This error alone gave him now an opportunity to unravel the +riddle. But did it? What did he know? Merely that Coolidge had not gone +to this house on an errand of charity; that the occupant called himself, +temporarily, perhaps, Jim Hobart; that his family consisted of two +women, undescribed except as to age; and that all three had mysteriously +disappeared together. He might take it for granted that this +disappearance was caused by the death of Coolidge, but, they had left no +trail, no inkling as to where they had gone. He might suspect this sudden +vanishing had direct connection with the crime he was endeavouring to +solve, but he possessed absolutely no proof, and, apparently, any further +movement on his part was completely blocked. + +More puzzled than ever, although now fully convinced that murder had been +committed, West could do nothing but wait the reappearance of Sexton. The +latter arrived promptly on time, but, much to West's disappointment, +merely nodded his head negatively to the general inquiry as to whether or +not he had made any discoveries. The early hour enabled the host to +secure a secluded table in the dining room, but there was no effort at +conversation until after the meal had been ordered. Then West told his +story. The retelling of these incidents of the afternoon, coupled with +Sexton's evident interest in the narrative, and the questions the man +asked, caused the discoveries made to assume a greater importance than +before. His listener seemed to sense the situation clearly. + +"It wasn't no mistake, your goin' out there, sir," he said, confidently. +"What we know now gives us something to work on anyhow, an' it's just +what I thought--that trip Sunday led up to this killin', an' something +happened while they was in there to stir Miss Natalie all up. Now we got +to find this fellow--what did you say his name was, sir?" + +"Hobart--Jim Hobart; that is he was known by that name there." + +"And you say he has simply dropped out o' sight?" + +"That's true; never left a clue behind him." + +"Well, sir, I'm not quite so sure about that. You listen to me, sir. I +walked out to Fairlawn from the car-line, an' come in across the fields +to the house. I didn't have no good excuse for goin' back there, sir, an' +was sorter afraid to meet up with Miss Natalie. She might have thought I +was just spyin' 'round. But I didn't have no need for being afraid, for +it seems she'd driven into town about noon, an' hadn't got back. There +wasn't nobody but the servant around the place, sir. Do you remember +Lizzie, the second maid--sorter full face, an' light hair?" + +West nodded, wondering what all this might be leading to. + +"Well, she an' I always hit it off together, an' I talked with her quite +a bit. She's goin' to quit too, because of something what happened, so it +was safe enough to question her. She told me, sir, that Miss Natalie had +a telephone call this morning that took her into the city. Lizzie she +went to the 'phone when it rang, an' it was a man's voice. He wouldn't +leave no message, but insisted on speaking to Miss Natalie. Lizzie had to +call her down from upstairs." + +"Did the girl overhear the conversation?" + +"Not so as to make very much out of it, sir. She was sorter +interested, the man's voice being strange, and hung around in the hall +listening, but about all she could make out was what Miss Natalie +said. It seemed like he was givin' her some kind of address, which she +didn't exactly understand, an' so she repeated it after him two or +three times to be sure." + +"What was the address?" + +"238 Ray Street, sir." + +"You are certain of that?" + +"That was what Lizzie said; she was pretty positive, sir; an' then about +an hour later, Miss Natalie ordered her car, an' drove into town." + +"Alone?" + +"Yes, sir; it was the electric she took." + +West remained silent, tapping with his knife on the table. This might +prove important, and he could not afford to ignore the information. While +to his mind it was hardly likely Hobart had called the girl, yet the +possibility remained. + +"I never heard of a Ray Street," he said at length, "but of course, there +may be one. Oh, Charlie," he stopped a waiter passing. "Bring me up a +City directory, will you. You will find one in the office down stairs. +Tell the Secretary Captain West wishes it and will return it at once." + +The first course had been served when the man returned with the book, +placing it on a chair next West, who immediately deserted his soup to +inspect the volume. + +"Ray Street," he said doubtfully, fingering the pages. "There is no such +street here, Sexton. Are you sure you got that right?" + +"That's what she said, sir; I made her say it over twice." + +"Ray Street; wonder if it could be spelled with a W? By Jove, it +is--Wray! Here we have it, only five blocks long, extending from Conway +to Grogan. Rather tough section I should judge." + +"I don't know, sir. I never heard of any of those streets before. How do +you get there?" + +"By car you mean? Well, let's see on the map. Oh yes, that's plain +enough; Milwaukee Avenue to Gans, and then walk east three blocks. It +wouldn't do any harm to take a look around there either. Perhaps that is +where Hobart went; he might have been the one calling Natalie. Rather a +wild guess, but it will give us something to do. What number was it?" + +"238, sir." + +"Good; we'll try our luck after we finish dinner; there will be a couple +of hours of daylight yet. Are you game, Sexton?" + +"Quite so, sir." + +The sinking sun was still above the sky-line of the buildings fronting on +Milwaukee Avenue, when the two men alighted at the intersection of Gans +Street. West hardly took the adventure seriously, being more influenced +by curiosity than any other motive, but Sexton was deeply in earnest, in +full faith they were upon the right trail. Doubtful as he was, West had +neglected no precautions. The map assured him that they were invading a +disorderly section of the city, where to be well-dressed would only +invite suspicion, and might lead to trouble. To avoid this possibility, +he had donned his most shabby suit, and wore a cap largely concealing his +face. In one pocket of his jacket within easy reach lay hidden his +service revolver loaded, and he had induced Sexton to accept a smaller +weapon in case of emergency. + +Gans Street was not inviting, the saloon on the corner being flanked by +several small factories. The brick side-walk was in bad condition, and +littered with junk of all kinds, while the road-way was entirely uncared +for, and deeply rutted from heavy traffic. Half way down the block, was a +tannery, closed now for the night, but with its odour yet permeating the +entire atmosphere. Altogether, the scene was desolate and disagreeable +enough, but the street was deserted of pedestrians, the factory doors +tightly closed for the night. + +The two men pressed their way through along the narrow passage, finding +less obstruction as they advanced, the second block being composed +entirely of houses, largely of the tenement type, and apparently +principally populated by children. Wray Street, once attained, was of an +entirely different character, being lined with homes, usually humble +enough outwardly, yet the throughfare was clean, and the small yards had +generally an appearance of neatness in marked contrast to its +surroundings. 238 was a three story brick, on the corner, the second +story evidently utilized for living purposes, and the ground floor +occupied as a saloon. The upper story exhibited no signs of occupancy, +the windows unwashed, and two of them boarded up. The saloon possessed a +fairly respectable appearance, the lettering across the front window +proclaiming it as "Mike's Place," and seemed to be doing some business, +several entering and departing by way of its hospitable door, while the +two lingered in uncertainty opposite. Standing there idly however did not +appeal to West. + +"Well, let's go over," he said impatiently. "There is nothing to be +learned here." + +It was an ordinary bar-room, and their entrance apparently aroused no +special interest. Besides the man behind the bar, a rather rough looking +foreigner, a Pole in West's judgment, three customers were in the place, +two with feet upon the rail talking with the drink dispenser, and, one at +a small table moodily contemplating a half emptied stein of beer. There +were three other tables in the room, and the Captain with a swift glance +about, drew out a chair and sat down, his action being imitated by +Sexton. The bar-tender came forward around the end of the bar, while the +man nearest shifted his position slightly so as to look them over, +conversation instantly ceasing. Something indefinable in the fellow's +attitude, and steady stare, gave West a feeling of hostility, which was +not dispelled by the gruff greeting of the bar-tender. + +"Well, what is it you fellers want?" + +"A stein apiece, and a sandwich--you serve them, don't you?" + +"Sure; ham or beef?" + +"Ham." + +There was no cordiality, no welcome in either manner or speech. It was +plainly evident the proprietor of the saloon felt no enthusiasm over his +unknown customers. The eyes of the two men met understandingly, but the +few words exchanged between them were entirely foreign to the situation. +Mike came back with the beer and sandwiches, pausing this time to wipe +off the table, as an excuse for speech. + +"You guys live 'round here?" he asked gruffly, "Don't remember ever +seein' yer in here before." + +"No," returned West indifferently, looking directly into the hard face. +"I'm a smoke inspector, an' we just dropped in on our way back to the +office. Why?" + +"Oh, nuthin'; only we don't get much trade outside the neighbourhood. I +wish ter hell ye'd get after that tannery; can't hardly breathe here +sometimes." + +"That's what we were looking after; had some complaints lately." + +"Sure, I been kickin' 'bout it for a month. You fellers have another +beer on me." + +He walked back toward the bar, pausing an instant to whisper a word to +the taller man who still stood there staring moodily at the table. What +he said apparently determined action, for the fellow addressed, crossed +the room to where West and Sexton sat, deliberately pulled up a vacant +chair, and joined them. + +"Bring me another, Mike," he ordered. "That is, if these gents don't +object to my joining 'em awhile." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +TRAPPED + + +West smiled pleasantly, glad the man had taken the initiative, thus +naturally opening up a way for asking certain questions. Whatever his own +immediate object might be in thus scraping an acquaintance made no +difference. It would doubtless develop in time, but meanwhile here was +the opportunity sought to discuss the affairs of the neighbourhood. Yet +the subject must be approached with due caution. The very indifference of +the bar-tender coupled with the evident desire of this hanger-on to form +an acquaintance, served to reveal the real nature of "Mike's Place." +Plainly enough strangers were viewed with suspicion, and this was no +ordinary saloon, catering to whatever trade drifted within its doors. +More than likely it was rather a thieves' hang-out, ever suspicious of +the activity of the police. + +Yet this fellow bore no outward semblance to the common conception of the +under-world. Nor did his actions or words exhibit any motive other than +ordinary good-fellowship. He was well dressed, easy of manner, with an +exceptionally intelligent face, blue eyes meeting West's gaze frankly, a +carefully trimmed moustache, with white teeth good humouredly showing +when he smiled, and threads of grey in his hair. His very appearance +invited confidence and comradeship, while his outspoken words increased +this impression. + +"Excuse my butting in," he explained genially. "But it's damn dull around +here tonight. Nobody to talk with but a couple o' bums. You see I don't +belong around here; just dropped in for a bit of business with Mike." + +"I see," admitted West, puzzled, and wondering how far he dared venture. +"You can get lonelier in a big city than anywhere else." + +"You bet you can. I like some one I can talk to; some guy with ideas. You +see I run a broker's office down town, an' its pretty blame slow around a +dump like this--you get me?" + +"Sure; this seems to be a pretty quiet place." + +"Quiet! Hell! it isn't always so quiet. I've dropped in here when it was +lively enough, believe me. But tonight it's the limit. Fact is I come up +for a little excitement, as much as anything else, but must have struck +an off night. You're a smoke inspector, Mike says?" + +West nodded. + +"Know Fred Karvan, I suppose?" + +"Oh, yes; friend of yours?" + +"Used to be; we were kids together down on the southside. He's got a +pretty soft job now; stands in strong with the City Hall, they tell me. +Mean to drop in and see him some of these days." + +"You'll find him a mighty good fellow," asserted West to whom the name +was entirely unfamiliar. + +"Well, I'm not so sure about that. He's got pretty stiff the last few +years they tell me. But then you work under him, and ought to know. Head +of your department, isn't he?" + +"Yes, but I only meet him in a business way, of course." + +"Sure; but that is the way you get to know them best. Been a soldier, +haven't you?" + +"Yes, but what made you think that?" in some surprise at the unexpected +query. The man laughed, lighting a cigar carelessly. + +"Oh, it has not been so long since, that the evidence is obliterated. +I've got a habit of noticing things. The way you sit, and square your +shoulders told me you'd been in uniform; besides you're the right age. +Get across to France?" + +"Had over a year there," wondering what the fellow could be angling +after. "You didn't get in?" + +"No; I was over the limit. I was thinking you might be interested in +looking over a collection of war relics Mike has got stowed away here +somewhere. He had two boys over there, and I reckon they must have put in +most of their time gathering up souvenirs. Anyhow they brought back the +greatest collection of war junk I've ever seen. Say, Mike, what did you +do with those war relics the boys sent home?" + +The fellow addressed leaned over the bar, his face glowing with +sudden interest. + +"They vas in the back-room, all spread out. Why you ask? The gentlemen +would see them, what?" + +"Yes; this one was a soldier himself. Maybe he can tell more about them +than the boys could. How is it? You fellows like to see the things?" + +West hesitated for just an instant, his eyes turning unconsciously toward +Sexton, who had not spoken. He felt no suspicion, merely a vague doubt as +to what this invitation might conceal. Yet it had all been natural +enough, and promised an opportunity for him to learn something more of +the place. An accident might reveal the very discovery he was eagerly +seeking. Besides there could be no danger; both he and Sexton were armed, +and apparently the invitation was innocently extended. To refuse to +accept would be churlish. + +"Certainly," he said at last, quaffing the last of his beer and +rising to his feet. "It will be nothing new to me, I imagine, but +we'll have a look." + +The other man, who had been leaning against the bar, had disappeared, +while the fellow at the table had seemingly fallen asleep. Mike came +forward with a bunch of keys in his hand. + +"I keep dot room locked," he exclaimed gruffly, "for some beoples run off +with all dings they get their fingers on. Hey, you, Carl," and he roughly +shook the sleeper into semi-consciousness, "wake up, and see to the bar +awhile. I've got some business. Whoever comes, you keep them +here--understand. All right, gents." + +The three stood close behind him as Mike inserted the key, and opened the +door. It was already growing dusk without, and the tightly closed room, +with shade drawn at the single window, was so dark that West could +scarcely discern its shape and contents. Mike, without hesitation, +stepped within, his great bulk blotting out whatever view there was. + +"Come right in, gents," he insisted. "Von minute, an' I turn on +the light." + +West never understood why he responded so recklessly to this invitation, +and advanced without hesitation. He had no suspicion of any trick, no +conception of being in any danger. He stepped in directly behind the +leader, and Sexton followed. An instant later, the door closed, with the +sharp click of a night latch, and Mike flashed on the light. As he did +so, he wheeled about, and shot one mighty clinched fist straight into +West's face. This was done so suddenly, so unexpectedly, the man +attacked found no opportunity to even throw up a hand in self-defence. +The giant Pole flung his whole weight into the crashing blow, and the +ex-soldier went down as though struck by a pole-ax. For an instant, he +realized that Sexton was in a fierce struggle; that his assailant stood +poised above him ready to land again if he moved; then consciousness +left him entirely. + +He woke up, sitting in a chair, his hands bound to the arms with strips +of cloth. For a moment everything about seemed tinged with yellow, the +various objects in sight vague and shapeless. It hurt him to move his +head, and his mind functioned dully. He could not think, or bring back to +memory a recollection of what had occurred. Yet slowly the mist cleared +and the objects about him assumed natural form. He was in a room of some +size--not the one in which he had been attacked he felt sure--fitted up +with a long table, and a number of chairs. There was no other furniture; +the walls were bare, and only a small rag rug partially covered the +floor. At first he perceived no other occupants; only as, painfully, he +finally twisted his head to the right, his eyes distinguished two men +seated against the wall. The sight of their faces restored instantly his +memory of what had occurred. The Pole rested back, with feet on the table +and eyes closed, but the other--the younger man--was watching him +closely, an unlighted cigar gripped in his teeth. + +"So, you've come out of it," the latter said unpleasantly. "I'd begun to +think Mike had handed you a real knock-out that time. Ready to answer a +few questions?" + +West, his brain clearing rapidly, sat up straighter in the chair, +determined to play out his part the best he could. + +"Perfectly ready," he replied struggling to control his voice. "Only I +should like to know what all this means? Why attack me?" + +"You'll find that out soon enough, Captain; but first I'll do the +questioning." + +"Not until I know one thing, at least--what has become of the man who +was with me?" + +"Well, I might as well tell you," carelessly. "He got hurt; the fool +compelled me to hit him with a gat; so he's out of it, and you might as +well come through clean--that guy isn't going to help you any." + +"You mean you killed him?" + +"Well, he's out of the game; that's enough. And as for you, your best +play right now is to talk up straight." He laughed sneeringly, "Unless +you want to call up your friend Karvan, at the City Hall, you know. Hell, +but you was easy!" + +"Easy?" + +"That's what I said. I knew you all right when you first blew in, only I +wasn't quite sure. Just had a glimpse of you once before. I naturally +guessed your smoke-inspector stunt was a sham. So, I ran that Fred Karvan +stuff in on you. You ate it up, which gave you clean away, for I never +knew any guy of that name. Do you see the point, Captain West?" + +"Yes, I see all that plainly enough, but it does not explain the attack +on me. You evidently know my name, and this assault has been +deliberately made. Why? What have you against me? I have never seen +either of you before." + +"Perhaps I'll tell you when you explain. What brought you into this +neighbourhood. Hunting some one, wasn't you?" + +"Not exactly." + +"Oh, don't lie; that will bring you nothing, West. You were sticking your +nose into a private matter which does not concern you in any way. That's +right, isn't it? Very well, you've had your lesson, and now it is simply +up to you to either drop this thing, or else take another. It's up to you +how far we go. Now listen. I believe it was merely curiosity that brought +you here. That's true, isn't it?" + +"Largely, yes." + +"You suspected something, and wanted to find out if it was so. Well, you +came into a bad neighbourhood. We are not nice to your kind around here. +What really caused your seeking me?" + +"I do not know that I did," West answered honestly. "In fact I haven't +the slightest idea who you are." + +The other laughed. + +"So you are as green as that. Then I'll give you the information. My +name is Hobart, Jim Hobart. I am the guy you were looking for?" + +"Yes," West admitted, seeing no reason to refuse an answer. + +"I thought so, although darned if I know how you ever located me here. +However, the sooner we come to some understanding, the better. What do +you know about me?" + +"Nothing." + +"Is that so! You knew my name when I spoke it. It was the Coolidge matter +that sent you hunting me. Oh, hell, you might as well cough up, West, for +I've got your number. You thought the girl was here, didn't you?" + +"I had reason to believe she came here." + +"I see; how did you gain that news?" + +"A conversation by telephone was overheard." + +"Now we are getting down to facts. And this comprises your entire +information, doesn't it? Let's check up. You connected me with the case +because you were with the uncle and her on their call Sunday. You +discovered in some way that I had since disappeared from that +neighbourhood. Then you accidentally got on to this telephone call, and +decided to run me down. Some cute little detective, I'll say. But what's +the object? What is it you are trying to connect me up with? What +possible cause can you have for butting in on this affair?" + +"I told you before; merely curiosity." + +"And who was the guy with you?" + +"An old servant of the Coolidge family." + +"It was mere curiosity in his case also, I presume?" + +"So far as I know, yes." + +Hobart smiled, showing his teeth cruelly. + +"West," he said slowly, "you are a damned good liar, but I am about to +spike your gun. Go on out Mike, and send in the first witness." + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +THE EDGE OF COMPROMISE + + +The two men sat silently watching each other, Hobart pretending a +carelessness he was far from feeling, uncertain as to West's real +purpose. The latter realized now the true seriousness of his position, +yet this only increased his belief in the reality of the crime. +Previously his mind had harboured doubts, but the very fact that Hobart +would resort to such desperate methods was ample proof of his +apprehension of danger. If Percival Coolidge had committed suicide, this +fellow would surely have nothing to fear; he could safely ignore any +efforts to trap him; indeed would possess no suspicions along that line. +It was his own guilty conscience which drove him to desperation. Coolidge +had been murdered, and this man was either guilty of the crime, or else +knew the one who was, and had personal reasons for protecting the party. + +These thoughts took possession of his mind and were convincing. He no +longer questioned but what he was on the track of crime, yet his thought +at that moment concentrated more vividly on his own personal peril. How +could he escape? What was he about to be confronted with? Nothing around +him afforded inspiration. He was bound helplessly; Sexton had +disappeared, whether dead or a prisoner, he did not know; the walls of +the room exhibited no signs of weakness, while Hobart eyed his every +movement coldly, evidently enjoying his predicament. Apparently the man +comprehended the nature of his thought. + +"Perfectly useless, West," he said carelessly. "This place was +constructed for the purpose, and you are not the only one who has tested +its strength. You will get out when I say so, and not before." + +"Do you intend to say so?" + +"Well, that depends," shrewdly. "Not if your release means my taking +any chances. But frankly, I do not believe it will. So far as I can see +you possess no particular interest in this matter--only the attraction +a young fellow always feels in a pretty woman. Have I got that doped +out right?" + +"To an extent at least." + +"Yes, to a very large extent. Of course, curiosity also played a part, +while everybody possesses a sneaking desire to do a detective act. Miss +Coolidge filled you up with a lot of bunk; she was good looking, and you +fell for it. Certain things happened that you failed to understand, so +you rather naturally jumped to the conclusion that some crime was being +concocted. That was what brought you here. Now I take it that, +ordinarily, you are a man of some sense. Consequently I mean to try to +get you to drop the whole affair, as being none of your business. If you +agree to this, I accept your pledge, the door opens, and you go free; +otherwise--" he waved his hand expressively. + +"Otherwise what?" asked West quietly. + +"I will see that you are removed from all temptation; my plans are too +important to be interfered with by a meddlesome fool." + +"But you can scarcely expect me to give such a promise?" + +"Well, I don't know about that. It doesn't pay to be too obstinate. You +have been in the army, I understand; then you are aware there is a harsh +side to life, a way to make or break men. All right, now I've got the +power; I can keep you locked up here; I could even kill you if necessary. +You are utterly helpless. There is an argument worth your consideration. +But I will give you yet another which may have even more weight." + +"What?" + +The door opened quietly, and then closed, leaving Natalie Coolidge +standing there in the light, her eyes slightly frowning as she looked +silently at the two men. + +"The lady, of course," explained Hobart, rising to his feet, "you will, +at least, be gentleman enough to accept her word!" + +She waited, seemingly unable to quite grasp the situation, or realize the +part she was called upon to perform, but as West failed to respond, +finally asked a question. + +"What is it, Jim? You sent for me?" + +"Yes, as a last resort. You recognize this man?" + +"Of course," indifferently; "what is he doing here?" + +Hobart laughed. + +"It seems the fellow hasn't taken his dismissal very seriously, Natalie," +he explained, "and remains very much interested in your affairs. That +covers the principal known facts in the case." + +"You mean he followed me here?" + +"He was on the trail, but just for what particular purpose I have failed +to learn; the lad is a bit close mouthed, but it looks to me as though he +was in love with you." + +The girl smiled, tossing her head as she stepped forward. + +"In love with me," she echoed. "That is a joke, yet I had some such +suspicion when I told him to quit the job. He acted like a fool then, and +began to question me as though he had a right. It was that being engaged +business most likely." + +"Sure; he thought he had you copped, fortune and all, and it looks to me +like he needs another jolt to put the idea entirely out of his head. That +is what I brought you in for. I'll explain first just how it happened. +This army guy blew in here before dark, along with another fellow, +Sexton, who used to be a servant out at Fairlawn--you know him?" + +"Yes; he was discharged yesterday." + +"I was standing by the bar talking with Issy, and I was sure I knew this +lad's face. I was stumped a bit at first where I had seen him; then all +at once it came to me--he was the guy sitting out there alone in the +automobile over on Arch Street. I knew then what he was over here for, +and got to talking with him. He give himself away the first thing, and +that is why we got him up in this dump." + +"How did he know I was here?" + +"Some of your precious help out there heard you talk to me over the +'phone, and passed it on." + +"And what does he want? What do these men want?" + +"Well Sexton don't want much of anything--he's knocked out; the fool made +a fight, and had to be hit; and, as to this bird, I rather think he was +just naturally nosing around out of curiosity, and because he was stuck +on you. I don't figure he is anything to be afraid of, but I am not going +to have the fellow gum-shoeing around. I'll take his word to get out, and +stay out; otherwise he and I are going to have a little seance of our +own. That's all there is about it." + +West had said nothing, watching the others, and waiting to choose some +course of action. His mind was confused, uncertain, yet he found +encouragement in Hobart's statement of the case. The fellow felt no +serious fear of him; had no suspicion as yet that anyone believed +Percival Coolidge murdered. The probability was that not even the girl +dreamed of such a thing. Whatever her connection might be with this man, +she must be innocent of so foul a crime. If he could only speak to her +alone; bring to her the truth; reveal to her the real character of this +man Hobart, there would be no doubt of the result. In spite of the +strange situation he yet retained faith in the girl; she had been +deceived, led astray in some manner, but his first impression of her true +nature still controlled his thought. He could only believe her a victim +of scheming villains, driven by circumstances to play a part utterly +foreign to her character. His only hope of learning the facts from her +own lips, or of re-establishing her faith in him, lay in a moment's +conversation alone. His mind instantly leaped to this conclusion, and his +eyes met her own. They were wide-open, full of curiosity yet not unkind. +He spoke swiftly. + +"That sounds fair enough, Hobart," he said quietly, taking the chance as +though it was the most natural thing in the world. "I am not hunting +trouble in any way, or seeking to butt in where I am not wanted. Your +guess as to my purpose in coming here is about right. I had no other +object but to be of some service to this young lady. If I can talk with +her a moment alone, and thus assure myself as to her wishes, I'll give +you any pledge you want, and forget all about the affair. Is that +satisfactory?" + +"Alone, you said? You want to see her alone?" + +"Absolutely; no other arrangement will answer. I want her to talk +freely; to answer my questions with no interference." + +Hobart glanced toward his companion inquiringly, evidently inclined to +deny the request. + +"Hell, you don't want much," he said rather gruffly. "What do you think +about this proposition, Natalie?" + +The girl smiled, her eyes still on West's face. + +"Fair enough," she admitted as though the whole matter was a joke. "The +man can do me no harm, and I am willing enough to be interviewed. It +looks like the easiest way out." + +His mood changed, influenced, no doubt, by her confidence in the result. + +"All right, if you say so. It is my guess you are equal to the job. How +much time do you want, West?" + +"Ten or fifteen minutes. I want to get down to the bottom of this thing." + +"Oh, you do, hey? Modest as ever, I see. Well, here's luck to you. You +needn't be afraid of the guy, Natalie; we got his gat before we brought +him up here, and if he makes any break, I'll be out in the hall ready to +take a hand. You're still for it?" + +"Yes," indifferently, seating herself on a convenient chair. "We might +as well talk it out now as any time. You go on, Jim, and leave it to me." + +Hobart was not entirely satisfied, hesitating as he lit a fresh cigar, +his keen eyes watchful of them both. However, it was plain to be seen the +girl had made her decision, and he evidently knew her well enough to +realize the uselessness of revolt. + +"All right, then," he replied finally, turning to the door. "Suit +yourself, only watch your step. Anyhow, I'll be within calling distance, +if this guy gets gay." + +"Don't worry about that," a flash of anger in her eyes. "I am no baby, +Jim Hobart. Go on now, and leave Captain West to me." + +He closed the door behind him, and the two were alone in the room. No +sound reached them from without, not even an echo of Hobart's footsteps +in the hall. West looked across at the girl, who sat motionless, her eyes +shaded by long lashes, and ringless fingers clasped in her lap. She +appeared indifferent, uninterested, scarcely aware of his presence. He +wondered if Hobart was listening at the door; what had become of Mike, +and whether Sexton was alive or dead. For the moment he could scarcely +make himself realize the true situation. His silence served to arouse her +interest, for she suddenly lifted her head and looked at him. + +"Well," she said soberly. "You have something to ask?" + +"Much--yes; but first, are we alone?" + +"Certainly--why?" + +"This man Hobart, you are sure he is not listening at the door?" + +She glanced about; then laughed. + +"Little good that would do him; there is no key-hole, no chance for sound +to penetrate. We are quite alone, Captain, and you are perfectly free to +say whatever you please." + +"But even then, is this wholly fair?" + +"What do you mean?" + +"I came here," he explained earnestly, "with no bad intention; no desire +to injure any one, Miss Coolidge; my only thought the possibility of +being of some service to you." + +"That is very interesting, I am sure. I am quite grateful." + +"Then I am going to ask you a favour. Release my hands and feet. You need +not be afraid; I give my pledge to make no attempt at escape while we are +together. Will you do this?" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +WEST MAKES HIS CHOICE + + +The girl neither answered, nor hesitated, but crossed the room swiftly, +her hands seeking the lashings about his wrists. Her movement thrilled +him, and his blood leaped at the soft touch of her fingers. + +"Really, I did not realize you were tied into the chair," she exclaimed +indignantly. "Hobart is a fool to do such a thing. Why, what has caused +him to become so frightened? Tell me, Captain West, how all this +occurred?" + +"You know nothing?" + +"Only what has been said since I entered the room. Mike simply told me +they had a man here who Hobart thought was a detective, and he wanted me +to come in a moment. I came, and found you. Now, please, what does it +all mean?" + +She slipped back to her seat again, her eyes on his face, as he arose and +stretched his limbs to restore circulation. To his quick glance her face +expressed only sympathy, and innocent interest. Any doubt he may have +felt as to the sincerity of the girl vanished instantly; whatever of +crime was concealed here, she had no suspicion. He could tell her the +whole story without fear. + +"I'll try and explain, Miss Natalie," he began rather lamely, "although +perhaps, you may not wholly understand the motives which have prompted +me. This, of course, is really no business of mine, and the only thing +that has involved me is the deep interest I have felt in you." + +"In me! why that is rather interesting. It was to serve me you +came here?" + +"At least I thought so. Shall I make it more definite? No doubt you are +aware that you are an unusually pretty woman. Well, at least, I think so +for one, and our first meeting, with its subsequent adventures, was +romantic enough to shake me out of a commonplace existence. In fact, I +became quite deeply interested in you." + +"Why really, Captain," she interrupted, slightly puzzled. "I perhaps do +not fully comprehend to what you refer. Do you mean there was something +between us? Some special intimacy?" + +"Oh, no; not that; probably no dream of what was occurring in your mind. +Yet the circumstances of our meeting were peculiar; they rendered a very +brief acquaintance into what promised to become a real friendship." + +"How do you mean?" + +"Surely you cannot have forgotten so soon," he exclaimed in surprise at +her attitude, seating himself once more and facing her determinedly. "I +came to you in response to a strange advertisement; you trusted me so +completely as to introduce me to your friends as your fiancé, and later +confided to me the special trouble you were in. I pledged you my +assistance, and it was surely very natural that, under these +circumstances, I as a young man, should have become rather deeply +interested--" + +"In both the case, and the girl." + +"Yes; so much so, indeed, that even when I was rather harshly dismissed, +I could not accept it without a protest. I had grown to feel that this +was not a mere business arrangement between us. Do you understand now?" + +"I can see it from your stand-point. But nevertheless, I am surprised, +Captain West. You--you mean you actually fell in love with me?" + +"I felt a very, very deep interest in you," he admitted gravely, "a +greater interest than I have ever felt in any other woman. That is my +sole excuse for becoming involved in your affairs. I could not bear to +see you make a mistake it might be in my power to prevent." + +"What mistake?" + +"Well, first of all, trusting in this man Hobart." + +She laughed, her eyes glancing up quickly into his face. + +"And why now, please? Remember your confession; I may think this only +jealousy." + +"You are not so silly as that," earnestly. "Moreover, I may as well be +perfectly frank. I did confess an interest in you, and in a measure, I +still feel eager to serve you in every possible way; but you have +changed so greatly, Miss Natalie, that my confidence in you has been +severely tried." + +"You no longer believe?" + +"I hardly know; I fail utterly to understand you of late; you seem an +entirely different girl. For one thing, you have deliberately +deceived me." + +"Indeed! in what?" + +"In your visit to Arch Street with Percival Coolidge. That was no mission +of charity to a poor widow and children." + +"What then?" + +"An arranged conference with this fellow Hobart. He rented that cottage +for no other purpose, and left it the next day. You made a mistake when +you took me along." + +She straightened up slightly in the chair, yet spoke rather +indifferently, her voice cold. + +"No doubt I did," she said tersely. "Indeed I have already discovered, +Captain West, that I made an even greater mistake when I first took you +into my service. You have proven altogether too inquisitive. Now I will +be plain with you. Whatever need I once supposed I had for your services +ended with the explanation I received in that Arch Street cottage. I told +you so very distinctly after our return home. You recall that interview, +no doubt?" + +He bowed, waiting for her to go on. + +"You were then and there dismissed from my service. That should have been +sufficient. I knew nothing of your silly feeling of personal interest in +me; nor did I realize any occasion for discussing with you the reasons +causing me to change my plans. You were my employee, and I discharged +you; that was all. It is true Percival Coolidge took me to that cottage +to have certain mysterious things explained, and they were explained to +my complete satisfaction." + +"By Hobart?" + +"Yes." + +"You knew the fellow before?" + +She hesitated slightly, although there was no perceptible change in the +answering voice. + +"For several years; he was in my father's employ; the--the whole trouble +originated in a joke, and--and was quite amusing, once I understood. Of +course, after that, I had no further need for you. Why did you persist in +annoying me?" + +West hesitated an instant, his mind struggling with the situation. Was +she honest, truthful, in this statement? Could he say anything which +would change her viewpoint? She must have been deceived by these men, yet +how could he expose them so she would comprehend? He was so little +certain of the facts himself, that he had nothing but suspicion to offer. + +"Why do you not answer, Captain West?" + +The girl's eyes were clear, insistent, a little amused; they somehow +aroused his determination. + +"I will endeavour to make you understood, Miss Natalie," he explained +slowly. "I would not have you feel that I deliberately pushed myself into +this affair. When I left Fairlawn after your dismissal, I had no thought +of ever seeing you again. I have already told you the interest I had felt +in you up to that time, but your abruptness during our last interview, +left me angry, and with no inclination to seek your presence again. You +can scarcely blame me for such a feeling?" + +"No," she confessed. "I--I was so excited and nervous I was not +very nice." + +"You certainly hurt me. I departed with a sense of wrong rankling, and no +desire to come back. But fate intervened. You know, perhaps, that I +overheard the shot which ended the life of Percival Coolidge, and I was +the first to discover his dead body. This made no particular impression +on me at the time. I supposed it a case of suicide, and so bore witness +at the inquest. The whole matter would have ended there; but the next day +you discharged Sexton also, and the man sought me out at the Club." + +She leaned forward, her lips parted, a new light in her eyes. + +"He told you something? He made you suspicious?" she asked breathlessly. + +"He caused me to see the affair from a somewhat different point of +view--a point of view which, I confess, revived my interest in you. I +began to believe you had been deceived, and your treatment of me arose +through a misunderstanding; I thought you a victim, and that I would be a +cad if I failed to stand by you. We put this and that together, carried +out some investigations quietly, and arrived at a definite conclusion." + +"What investigations?" + +"In the field where the body was found first," West went on steadily, but +no longer looking at her, "tracing the different tracks through the +clover. Then I looked up that cottage in Arch Street, and thus learned +about Hobart. Somehow he seemed to fit into the picture, and your +mysterious visit there made me anxious to interview the man. He had left +no address however, just faded out of sight suddenly, which increased +suspicion. Then, when we were completely baffled, Sexton learned about +your conversation over the telephone." + +"How? Was he at the house?" + +"Yes; he went out at my suggestion." + +"And heard me repeat this number?" + +"It makes no difference how he got the information; we knew you were +coming here this afternoon, and jumped at the conclusion that you were +going to meet Hobart for some reason." + +"Very bright, I am sure," and there was a tone of relief in her voice. +"And that is your whole story, I suppose? What does it amount to?" + +"Not very much, perhaps." + +"And the two of you came out here seeking to learn my business, to pry +into my personal affairs. That was not a very gentlemanly act, Captain +West, and I hardly see how you can justify yourself." + +"I had two purposes," he insisted, "either of which justify. I felt it +a duty to locate this man Hobart; and also to warn you of the danger +you were in." + +"Warn me!" she laughed scornfully. "That is ridiculous enough surely. I +have a perfectly good reason for being here, but I am not accountable to +you in any way for my movements. A duty you say--a duty to locate this +man? A duty to whom?" + +"To the State, if no one else," he answered gravely. "Percival Coolidge +did not commit suicide; he was murdered." + +"Murdered!" she came to her feet with utterance of the word. "You cannot +think that!" + +"I know it, Miss Natalie; the evidence is beyond question; he was +murdered in cold blood." + +"But by whom? for what purpose?" + +"These points are not yet determined; I am only sure of the crime." + +"Yes, but--but you suspect Jim Hobart. Isn't that true? You came here +seeking him--yes, and me. You even think I know how this death occurred. +You--you connect it with my fortune." + +"No, Miss Natalie," he protested stoutly, moved by her agitation. "The +cause is a mystery, and who did it equally mysterious. The evidence thus +far unearthed is all circumstantial." + +"Then why did you come out here searching for Hobart?" + +"Because of his strange meeting with Percival Coolidge the very day of +his death; because his sudden disappearance furnished the only clue." + +"And that is all the knowledge you possess, absolutely all?" + +"Yes; I am no more than groping in the dark. My main object in coming was +to put you on your guard." + +"You have repeated these suspicions to no one else? The Police?" + +"To no one. Only Sexton and I have even talked the matter over. We are +both too loyal to you to ever say a word which might be to your injury." + +She suddenly held out her hand, and he took it, conscious of the firm +clasp of her fingers. + +"I thank you, Captain West," she said sincerely, "and believe your +purpose was honourable. You have told me frankly all you suspect, and +doubtless you have reasons. You have simply made a mistake, that is all. +Percival Coolidge was not murdered; he killed himself because he had +muddled my affairs, and knew he was about to be discovered. You have got +upon a wrong trail. Will you accept my word for this, and drop the whole +matter here?" + +West was almost convinced, but not quite; the explanation had not been +sufficiently explicit. + +"This man Hobart--who is he? What connection does he have with +your affairs?" + +She hesitated slightly, yet her eyes did not fall, or her apparent +cordiality change. + +"Mr. Hobart," she explained, "I have known for years. I told you before +he was once in my father's employ. Now he is a private detective, and +was employed on my case, before I advertised for you. I thought then he +was not accomplishing anything, but at our interview Sunday, all was +cleared up." + +"In the presence of Percival Coolidge?" + +"Yes; he was given a week in which to straighten matters. That was why he +killed himself." + +"But why is it necessary for you to meet Hobart in a place like this--a +veritable thieves' den?" + +She shrugged her shoulders, releasing his hand. + +"He has not completed his work, and does not think it best for us to be +seen together. I know him so well I am not at all afraid, even here. Is +that all, Captain West?" + +"It seems to explain everything," he admitted, yet far from satisfied. + +"And you will drop the whole affair?" she asked anxiously. + +"If I say yes--what?" + +"You will be released from here of course, and the whole misunderstanding +forgotten." + +"And otherwise?" + +"I have no means of knowing what the men intend to do. They will accept +your pledge, I am sure." + +"Possibly, but I am not so sure I will consent to give such a pledge." + +"Then you do not accept my word; do not believe what I have told you?" + +"Not that exactly, Miss Natalie; I could have faith in your word, except +that I believe you to be mistaken, deceived. Hobart is not square; he is +using you for his own ends. Under these conditions, I would be a coward +to give such a promise, and leave you helpless in this man's power." + +"You intend then to refuse?" + +"I do; I'll fight it out." + +She stared at him, scarcely believing her own ears, her lips parted, a +look of angry fright in her eyes. + +"You are a fool, Captain West," she burst forth at last, unable to hold +back the words. "I have done my best for you, and you spurn that. Now +look out." + +She stepped backward, still fronting him, and, with hand behind her, +rapped sharply on the panel of the door. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +FACING DEATH + + +The change in the girl was so pronounced, her action so impetuous, as to +leave West startled and silent. The thought came to him instantly that +she was not the innocent victim he had supposed. Her words, and movements +expressed disappointment, rather than regret. She was angry at his +choice, ready to withdraw from him all sympathy, all assistance. Her plea +had failed, and the woman had become a tigress. Then she must have been +endeavouring to deceive him; as deeply interested as these others--in +getting him safely off the trail of this crime. It was a hard lesson, one +that instantly turned all his theories upside down, but the truth came to +him with blinding, sickening force--she was as guilty as Hobart; they +were both working to the same end, endeavouring to get him safely out of +the way. They would accomplish this with lies if possible, if not then +with force. It was for no other purpose he had been granted this +interview alone--in the hope that he might thus be deceived by her. Now +he saw through the trick. + +These thoughts swept West's brain in a sudden flash of revelation, but +he had no chance to act; to denounce her, to make a single movement, +before the door opened swiftly, and Hobart slipped eagerly into the +room. The first glance the fellow had of the prisoner, standing erect +and unbound, must have deceived him into believing the girl had +succeeded in her quest. + +"So you've set him free," he exclaimed. "The fellow has come to his +senses, has he?" + +"No, he has not," she snapped with temper darkening her eyes. "I was not +afraid of him, so I let him loose, but he's made me no promise. Now it is +up to you; I'm done." + +She slipped out through the opening, and Hobart leaned against the door, +pushing it shut behind her, his scowling eyes watching West intently. + +"So, that is how it stands, is it, my man?" he growled threateningly. +"You even refuse to accept the word of the lady, do you?" + +"Those are very nearly the facts," West replied steadily. "Then I told +her I thought she must be mistaken; now I believe she was sent here for +no other purpose but to deceive me. If I ever had any doubt of a crime, +it has vanished since this interview." + +"What crime?" + +"Murder; the killing of Percival Coolidge. Is that plain enough, Hobart? +I want you to understand. I am fighting this case from now on in the +open; it is going to be man to man." + +"What the hell do you mean, you cur?" + +"I'll tell you," went on West coldly, determined now to so anger the +fellow as to bring the whole matter to a climax, reckless of the +consequences. "I charge you with murder. I haven't the proof, but I'll +get it; I do not know the object, but I'll find out." + +"You fool! you'll never get away from here. My God, you must be crazy!" + +"Never was saner in all my life, Hobart. I am a soldier, and am taking a +soldier's chance. Now listen. I feel no particular interest in the death +of Percival Coolidge. In my judgment the world is just as well off with +him dead as alive. But what this means to Natalie Coolidge is another +matter entirely." + +"She told you--" + +"Yes, she told me--a lie. That is what hurts; what makes me ready to take +any chance to put you where you belong. You have lied to her, deceived +her, made her your accomplice in crime. I'm fighting for a woman, because +she has got no one else to fight for her." + +"Oh, I see; in love, hey--with her, or her money?" + +"With neither so far as I know," frankly. "She is a woman helpless in +your hands; that is sufficient." + +"But, hell, she hasn't any use for you--didn't she tell you so?" + +"Quite plainly--yes. But that is no excuse for any man to play the +coward. I am not afraid of you, Hobart, or your gang. You got me before +by treachery; I was not looking for trouble. But now I am. I am going +through that door, and if you try to stop me you are going to get hurt." + +The fellow grinned, one hand thrust into the outer pocket of his coat, +his eyes narrowed into ugly slits. + +"You think so! You haven't a weapon on you, West, and if you take a +step, I'll put you out of commission. I know how to handle your kind, +you big bluffer. What I want to know is what you have got in your head, +for, believe me, I don't take any stock in this woman stuff. Are you +after the coin?" + +"What coin?" + +"Well, maybe a slice of old Coolidge's boodle. There's enough of it for +all hands to have a dip. How does that hit you?" + +"Sounds interesting at least," admitted West, so earnestly as to attract +the other's attention. "But let's talk it over among ourselves--who is +listening there?" + +Hobart glanced behind at the nearly closed door. It was for only a second +he was off guard, yet that was enough. With one leap forward, West +struck, his clinched fist smashing against the side of the fellow's jaw. +It was a wicked, vicious blow, with all the propelling force of the body +behind it, and Hobart went down stunned, crashing the door tightly shut +as he fell. Once he strove blindly to reach his feet, tugging madly at +the weapon in his pocket, but West, feeling no mercy, and wide awake to +the fact that any shooting would mean a call for help, struck again, +sending his groggy opponent flat, and unconscious. It was all the swift +work of a minute, and there had been no noise to arouse alarm. Hobart had +not even cried out; the only audible sounds being the sharp click of the +door, and the dull thud of a falling body. + +West emptied the man's pockets, slipping two revolvers into his own; then +stood for an instant motionless, staring down into the white upturned +face. He had followed the impulse of the moment; had struck savagely; +knowing it was his only chance. Thus far he had done well; but what next? +He was conscious of but one thought, one purpose--to escape from this +house, unpledged and still free to act. Yet how could this be +accomplished? He had no plan, no knowledge even of his surroundings, of +what lay beyond the walls of this room. His eyes swept the bare interior, +seeing nothing to inspire hope. Hobart had said this room was practically +a prison, and it looked it--the walls bare, and unbroken, and a rough +single cot. All possibility of egress lay in the closed door, and a +narrow window high up in the opposite wall, also tightly shut, and shaded +by a heavy curtain. + +His hand tried the door cautiously; the knob turned easily enough, but +there was no yielding to his pressure. The lock was evidently on the +outside, and he could discover no key-hole, no possibility of operating +it from within. Then, besides in all probability, a guard would be posted +outside in the hall, waiting for some signal from Hobart. West glanced +again at the recumbent figure, bending over to make sure of his +condition, then, gripping a chair, silently crossed the room. + +There was not a minute to lose. He knew that he must choose quickly +whatever course he pursued. Any instant Hobart might recover +consciousness, and gain assistance by a rap on the door; indeed his +confederates without might not wait for the signal. The silence within, +the length of time, might arouse suspicion. The only chance lay in +immediate action. Standing on the chair West found the window had been +securely nailed into place, but this had been done so long ago, it was +quite possible for him to work the nails loose, yet it required all his +strength to press up the warped sash sufficiently far to enable him to +gain a view outside. It was not encouraging. Evidently he was upon the +third floor, at the rear of the building, looking down into a cluttered +up back yard. His eyes could scarcely distinguish what was below, as the +only glimmer of light came from a far distant street lamp at the end of +an alley, the faint rays creeping in through holes in the fence. Yet one +black shadow seemed to promise the sloping roof of a shed directly below; +but even with that to break his fall, it was a desperate leap. + +He stared into those uncertain depths, endeavouring to measure the +distance, deceived by the shifting shadows, afraid of what lay hidden +below. For the moment he forgot all that was behind him, his whole mind +concentrated on the perils of so mad a leap into the dark. The awakening +came suddenly, the chair jerked from beneath his feet, his body hurled +backward. He fell, gripping at the window seat, so that he was flung +against the support of a side wall, able to retain his feet, but not to +wholly ward off a vicious blow, which left him staggering. Half blinded, +West leaped forward to grapple with the assailant, but was too late. +Hobart rushed back out of reach of his arms, and rapped sharply on the +door panel. It opened instantly, and big Mike, closely followed by +another man, pushed forward into the room. West was trapped, helpless; +one man pitted against three. He backed slowly away, brushing tack the +dishevelled hair from his eyes, watching them warily, every animal +instinct on the alert. + +Mike took one comprehensive glance at the scene, at the overturned chair, +the half-open window, the trapped man crouching motionless against the +further wall. The meaning of it all was plain, and his bar-room training +gave quick insight as to the part he was to play. He spoke gruffly out +into the dark of the hall behind him, an order to some one concealed +there; then shut the door tightly, and faced West, his head lowered like +a bull about to charge. West understood; he was locked in to fight it +out--three against one. Hobart was nearest to him, his face swollen and +red, his eyes ugly slits, with teeth snarling between thin lips. The +fellow laughed sneeringly, as their glances met. + +"Now we'll take care of you, Captain," he taunted. "Never mind his guns, +Mike; there's not a load in either of them. Give the guy what he is +looking for. Come on you terriers!" + +But West did not wait. There was only one chance, and he took it--to +carry the fighting to them. He had no doubt of the emptiness of his guns, +and hurled one straight at Hobart's head, leaping forward with the other +clutched in his hand straight at Mike, who had scarcely time to fling up +one hand in defence. The thrown weapon missed its mark by a narrow inch, +striking the wall behind, and falling clattering to the floor, but the +other broke through the big saloon-keeper's guard, and sent him reeling +to his knees, a gush of blood reddening his hair. Again and again West +struck him, driving him prone to the floor before the other two dragged +him away, wrestled the weapon from his hand, and closed with him in a +desperate death grapple. + +What followed he never could relate. He was mad with fury of the fight. +A mere animal defending life with every means at hand, caring nothing for +either wound or hurt so that he won out in the end. Mike was out of it, +but the two grappling him fought like wild cats, rough barroom fighters, +resorting to any tactics to disable their opponent. Yet it was this that +saved him. Crazed as he was, madly as his brain whirled in the fierce +struggle, his long training held supreme--he knew how to fight, +remembered instinctively every trick and guard. Again and again his +clinched fist reached its mark, and slowly he broke away from clutching +hands, and regained his feet. It was a terrific struggle, but luck, as +well as skill, was with him. The next he knew, out of the red ruck, was +that he had Hobart by the throat, jammed against the wall, with fingers +clinched in the throat. Then he saw the other coming, a dim, shapeless +thing, that he kicked at viciously. The boot must have landed, for he was +suddenly free to strike the purple face fronting him, and fling the +helpless rocking body in a huddled mass on the floor. + +By God, it was over with; he had won breathing space, a chance to see +what was about him. Yet that was all. The fellow he had kicked was +already up, doubled from the pain of the blow, but with mad eyes +glaring at him. Hobart had struggled to his knees, cursing fiercely as +he swept the blood out of his eyes. They would both be on him again in a +minute, more desperate than ever, and the door was locked--there was no +chance there. The window! Ay! there was the window. Death either way, +yet a chance; and he was man enough to take it. He leaped on the chair, +and clambered up; he heard Hobart swear, and felt the grip of a hand on +his dangling leg; kicked himself free, and was on the ledge. He never +looked below, or took time to poise for the leap. Heedless, desperate, +scarcely realizing what he was doing, he flung his body out over the +edge, and fell. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +UNDER COVER + + +The shed roof was below, and he struck it, fortunately feet first, but +the sharp slant of the boards sent him hurtling forward over the edge +into a miscellaneous pile of boxes beneath, his body finally resting on +the hard ground. He lay there dazed, the breath knocked entirely out of +him, bruised, and scarcely certain whether he was dead or alive. For the +moment, he seemed to have lost all consciousness, unable to realize even +what had occurred in that upper room, or to comprehend the necessity of +immediate flight. All about him was intense darkness, and, after the +crash of his fall, no sound broke the silence. He could see nothing, hear +nothing to arouse his faculties; his flesh quivered with pain, although +he felt sure no bones were fractured, for he could move both arms and +limbs freely, while after the first shock, his mind returned to activity, +dominated by the single conviction that he must get away from there +before those men could get down stairs. + +But how? He retained no strength, no ability to use his limbs sufficient +to carry him away from the neighbourhood swiftly. He felt paralysed, +numb, even his brain functioning strangely, the danger of his helpless +condition its only incentive to action. He endeavoured to rise, rolling +partially over in the effort which failed, but the movement, slight as it +was, left one hand dangling over an excavation at his right. His fingers +explored the edge of this opening cautiously, revealing a cellar-way, +leading down into the basement. The opening was black, silent, +mysterious, yet it was a hiding place. If he could manage to roll down +those steps into those depths below, he might hide there unseen, until he +regained strength, until the first effort at pursuit had been abandoned. +Then there might be a chance for escape. + +West grasped the idea clearly enough. Those fellows would be there +swiftly. If they found him gone they would have no doubt but what he +landed safely, and had made a get-away. They would search, of course, +perhaps out into the alley, hoping he might have been injured, but it was +hardly probable they would think to explore the cellar. Even if they did, +he could surely creep into some dark corner where he might escape +observation. Anyway, crippled as he was, this offered the one and only +chance. He could not argue and debate; he must act. + +He rolled over, and lowered himself down into the opening, locating the +half-dozen broken and rotted steps with his feet. He made no attempt to +stand, but simply slid down, finding a partially closed door at the +bottom, the passage-way blocked by a litter, the exact nature of which +could not be determined in the darkness. With some difficulty, and more +than ever conscious of his weakness, and the pain of bruises, he managed +to crawl over this pile of debris, and crouch down finally in the intense +blackness within. He felt like a trapped rat, still gasping for breath, +his body quivering from exertion. + +Yet his retreat had been none too rapid. The silence above was broken by +the creak of an opening door, the sound of excited voices, and a sudden +gleam of light, finding entrance through the open cellar-way. West +startled, crept back into a corner, every nerve alert at approaching +peril. He recognized Hobart's voice, as the fellow plunged down the steps +from the first floor out into the yard. + +"To hell, of course he's here!" he stormed. "My God, man, he dived out +head first; I saw him. He'll be dead as a door nail now. Come on with +that lantern, Turner. Where in thunder is the ladder--does any one know?" + +"You think he lies on the roof?" + +"Why not? That's where he must have struck, ain't it, Shorty? I don't +know though; it is so steep he'd most likely roll off. Here, you, let me +take the glim. There's nothing here in these boxes. Ah, there's the +ladder; climb up, Shorty, and see if the guy is stuck anywhere on the +roof. Go on! What are you afraid of; if he's there, he's a stiff all +right, believe me." + +Turner's voice, hoarse and rumbling, came back from above. + +"There ain't nuthin' up here, Jim. Damn me, if I don't believe the cuss +got clean away. Gee, but he was sure a nervy guy all right." + +"Nervy? Crazy, you mean. But he never took that fall without busting +something. The bird is lying about here somewhere. You make sure he ain't +up there, Shorty." + +"Well, he ain't; I kin see every inch o' this roof. Perhaps he fell in +between them barrels down there." + +The two evidently searched thoroughly, the rays of the lantern dancing +wildly about, while Hobart savagely cursed his companion, and reiterated +his belief that no man could ever take that plunge, and escape unhurt. + +"It couldn't be done, I tell you; maybe he could crawl, but that would be +all. Why he went down head first; I saw him go out the window, and that +drop would daze a cat. Say, Shorty, maybe the stiff dropped down into +this cellar-way. Let's take a look." + +The light streamed in through the narrow opening, and some one +scrambled cautiously down the rotted steps. West, drawing himself +securely back behind the protection of his barrel, saw the lantern +thrust forward, and a face behind it peering in the shadows. The fellow +did not advance into the room, but Hobart did, pressing his way roughly +past, and standing there full in the glow of light, staring about into +the dim shadows. He evidently saw nothing to arouse suspicion, for his +voice was angry with disgust. + +"Not a damn sign here, Shorty. It looks like the fellow maybe did get +away. But it beats me how. There ain't no place now for us to look but +the alley." + +"An' if he ain't there?" + +"Then we'll hop this dump mighty sudden, I'm telling you. We'll slip out +and leave Mike to explain how he got his coco cracked. With that guy +loose, it won't be healthy for me hanging around here." + +"He ain't got the goods on you, has he?" + +"No, he ain't got the goods, but he is dead wise to some things, and he +didn't get out of that shindy up stairs without getting hurt. He'll be +sore all right, and will raise all the hell he can. It's safer to keep +out of the way." + +"An' what about that other buck, Hobart? It won't do to have him picked +up, if this guy gets the harness bulls to take a look around here." + +"That ain't his style, Shorty; he won't spiel anything to the cops about +this row. He's an ex-soldier, a Captain, and he's nuts on the girl. +That's why he dipped into this mess--trying to save her--see? Maybe he +won't be so keen now, after the song and dance she gave him up stairs. +I'm half inclined to think the guy will drop out entirely, damn glad to +get off alive, now he believes she is as rotten as the rest of us. But I +ain't sure--maybe he is the kind that sticks. That's why I don't take any +chances just now. Things ain't quite ripe for a get away--see?" + +"Sure; she gave him some straight stuff, hey?" + +"She certainly did; she's as smart as she is good looking. It somehow +don't strike me this guy is going to bother her any more. I'm figuring +that he's out of it." + +"But his partner?" + +"Oh, we'll leave him somewhere propped up against a door. Likely he'll +never know what happened to him, or where. He ain't nothing to be afraid +of--just a butler with a cracked head. It's the other guy who has got the +brains. Come on; let's take a look out in the alley." + +Their shadows vanished up the stairs, the glow of light disappearing, and +leaving the cellar in impenetrable darkness. West did not venture to +move, however, content to wait until thoroughly assured the way for +escape was clear. He had not learned much from this conversation, except +to increase his conviction that a serious crime was being consummated. +The full nature of this conspiracy was as obscure as ever; rendered even +more doubtful indeed by the active participation of Natalie Coolidge. +This was what puzzled and confused him the most. He could no longer +question her direct interest in the affair, or her willingness to assist +in overcoming his efforts. Even without the free testimony of the men +this fact was sufficiently clear. She had deliberately lied to him, +attempted deceit, and then, when he refused to yield to her efforts, had +so reported to Hobart, and left him to his fate. It was manifestly +impossible for him to believe in her any longer. Yet what could it all +mean? How could she hope to benefit by such an association? Why could she +thus shield the murderers of Percival Coolidge? What possible object +could there be in the commission of this crime, except to gain possession +of her own fortune? It was all mystery to his mind; a new unanswerable +question arising wherever he looked. + +What strange influence could this man Hobart exercise over the girl? To +West's judgment he was in no way the sort of man to appeal to Natalie +Coolidge. He was of a low, cunning order, with some degree of outward +polish, to be sure, yet inherently tough, and exhibiting marks of a +birth-right which indelibly stamped him of a social class far below her +own. Surely, she could not love the fellow, yet unquestionably he +possessed a mysterious power over her, difficult to explain through any +other hypothesis. If West had not known the young woman under different +conditions, he might have accepted this theory, and dismissed the whole +matter from mind. But it was the haunting memory of that earlier Natalie +Coolidge, the mistress of Fairlawn, which would not permit his complete +surrender. She had seemed all that his dream of womanhood called for. +Unconsciously, he had given her his heart, and he could not tear the +remembrance from mind. There was something wrong, terribly wrong; what it +was he had no means of knowing, yet, there in the dark, he determined he +would know, would never be content until he learned the whole truth. All +his hope, all his future, depended on the answer. + +Hobart and Turner were absent for some little while; the sound of their +voices ceased, but the distant flicker of the lantern enabled West to +trace their progress up the alley, and then back again. They returned in +no pleasant humour, convinced that their expected victim had escaped +safely, but made no further effort to search the yard. Hobart said enough +to make it plain that his immediate project was to disappear, leaving +Mike to his own devices. With this point settled the two tramped heavily +up the stairs, and disappeared within. West, confident at last, that the +way was left clear, wriggled out from his place of concealment behind the +barrel, and stood erect. He felt stronger now, and in less pain, +convinced that his injuries were in no degree serious. He could move his +limbs freely and his mind was active. The darkness was so intense he had +to grope his way forward, anxious to make no noise which might betray +his presence. No doubt the basement could be reached in some way from the +floor above, and any unusual sound below might easily attract attention. + +In the intensity of the gloom, his sense of direction failed, taking him +somewhat further back before he finally located the exact position of +those outer steps. Then as he turned abruptly, his foot came in contact +with an obstacle on the floor. For an instant he could not determine what +it was; then, with a thrill of horror, he realized the presence of a +human body. There was no sound, no movement, and West drew back from +contact with the object, shrinking in horror. Then he gripped himself +sternly--whoever, whatever this was, he must know. Alive or dead he must +determine the truth. He bent over, feeling with his hands in the +darkness. Good God, the flesh was warm; it was no cold corpse he touched, +but a living human being; ay! tied like a mummy, unable to move hand or +foot. Then, as suddenly, his groping fingers, eager enough now, +discovered the cause of silence--the man was gagged, cruelly gagged, +helpless to utter a sound. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE COMING OF A MESSAGE + + +The situation once realized, West worked rapidly. If this bound man was +Sexton, the quicker he could be released the better. Hobart had already +revealed his plans, and might appear at any moment for the purpose of +executing them. If escape was to be achieved, it must be accomplished at +once. In the darkness his fingers could do nothing with the knot, but the +sharp blade of a knife quickly severed the twisted cloth, and the gag was +instantly removed from between the clinched teeth. The man moaned, +breathing heavily, but made no other sound while West slashed at the +cords lashing his limbs, finally freeing them entirely. Not until this +had been accomplished did he pause long enough to ask questions. + +"There; that's the last. Now who are you--Sexton?" + +"Yes, sir," weakly, and in a mere whisper, "an' I know yer voice, sir. +Thank God, yer found me, sir." + +"It was a bit of luck; but we'll talk that over later. Now we've got to +get out of here. Can you walk?" + +"I don't know, sir; after a fashion, maybe. I'm mighty stiff and +numb, sir. Oh, Lord, but that hurts; give me a hand, an' perhaps I +can make it." + +"Take it easy; work your legs up and down like that; good, that will +restore the circulation. How long have you been lying here?" + +"I don't know, sir," his voice strengthening. "I must have been hit, the +way my head aches. The first thing I knew after I went into that room +with you, I was lyin' here in the dark. I couldn't move or speak, sir, +an' it was so black, I kind of got it into my head maybe I was dead and +buried. If it hadn't been for my hearing things--voices talking, and all +that--I guess I would have gone clear batty. Maybe I didn't get +everything straight, sir, but one o' them fellows was Hobart, wasn't he?" + +"Yes; we walked right into his trap. The fellow who came over to the +table and talked to us was Jim Hobart. He knew me at first sight it +seems, and easily guessed what we were there for." + +"And was Miss Coolidge here too, sir?" + +"Yes, she was; I had a talk with her that has mixed me all up, Sexton. +She seems to be hand in glove with these fellows. But how did you suspect +she was here?" + +"I heard her voice, sir; up there somewhere, sir, soon after I come to +my senses. She and some man went along outside. Sounded like he was +makin' her go with him. I couldn't get much of what was said, but he +sure talked awful rough, an' she seemed to be pleadin' with him. They +wasn't there but just a minute, an' then, a little later, I heard an +automobile start up." + +"You have no idea how long ago this was?" + +"No, I ain't, sir. I been lyin' here about half dead, I guess, an' I +don't seem to have known anything after that, until those fellows come +down here with the lantern. Were they hunting after you?" + +"Yes; I outwitted them up stairs, and jumped from a window. But that is +enough talk now; we'll go over the whole affair when we are safely away +from this place. How is it? do you think you can navigate?" + +Sexton responded by getting slowly to his feet. He trembled, and was so +uncertain, as he attempted to grope forward, that West grasped him +firmly, helping him slowly toward the foot of the steps. Even this +effort, however, helped the man to recover somewhat the use of his +numbed limbs, while his breathing became much easier. The two crept up +the stairs cautiously, and surveyed the cluttered up yard as best they +might in the dim light of the distant street lamp. It appeared entirely +deserted, nor was there any evidence that the building above was +occupied. No doubt lights were burning within, but if so the shades must +have been drawn closely, allowing no reflection to escape. No better +opportunity for evading notice could be hoped for, and West, alert now to +every chance, made instant decision. + +"They are all inside. Creep along behind that pile of lumber to where you +see the hole in the fence. I'll be just behind you. That's the way." + +The narrow alley was much lighter, yet still dark enough to conceal their +movements, as they clung close to the deeper shadows. Except for an old +cart it was unoccupied, the surface covered with ashes, so packed as to +leave no trace of wheels. Ahead of them at the end of the block, glowed +the only street lamp visible. Sexton, by now largely recovered from his +late experiences, broke into a run, with West following closely behind. +Both were eager to escape from the immediate neighbourhood unseen. +Suddenly Sexton stumbled, but arose almost instantly to his feet again, +grasping something which gleamed like silver in his hand. + +"Not hurt, are you?" asked West anxiously. + +"No; what's this I found?" + +The other took it impatiently. + +"What is it? Why a small pocket knife, of course. Come on, man, don't +stand mooning there." He slipped the article carelessly into his pocket. +"Let's get out into the open while the road is clear." + +"Where are you going?" Sexton panted, endeavouring to keep beside him. +"Have you anything planned out?" + +"Not very much; Milwaukee Avenue first. There is sure to be an all-night +restaurant somewhere in sight. Telephone for a taxi, don't dare to risk a +street car, we both look too tough." + +"Suppose they will follow us?" + +"Hardly; they will have no idea which way we went, or how long we'll have +been gone. All Hobart will think about now will be getting out of sight +himself. Once we turn off this street, we'll be safe enough." + +It was considerably past midnight when the two men finally reached the +University Club; they had lunched at an all-night restaurant, washed and +made themselves as presentable as possible, yet were hardly recognizable +as they entered the Club lobby. Neither possessed a hat; Sexton was in +his shirt sleeves, while West's coat clung to him in rags. Without +waiting to explain anything to the servant in charge, except to state +briefly that Sexton would be his guest for the night, the Captain hurried +into the waiting elevator, and accompanied by his companion, ascended to +his apartment above. + +The reaction from the excitement of the evening left Sexton dull and +drowsy once he felt secure from any possible danger. His only desire was +to lie quiet, and forget. Stretched out on a comfortable lounge, he fell +asleep almost instantly, making no effort even to remove his clothes. +West was of a different temperament, his mind far too active to find +sleep possible. His only desire was to think, plan, decide upon some +future course of action. With mind busy, forgetful of the very presence +of his companion, he indulged in a bath, again dressed himself, and, +lighting a cigar, settled back into an easy chair to fight the whole out +alone with himself. + +The adventures of the night had greatly changed his conception of this +affair in which he had become so strangely involved. The mystery +confronting him appeared more difficult of solution than ever. His first +vague theory of the case had already gone completely to smash. Question +after question rose before him which remained unanswered. He was more +thoroughly convinced than ever that Percival Coolidge had been murdered; +that the act had been committed either by Hobart himself, or under his +direction. He possessed no proof, however, nor could he figure out a +motive for the crime. Who was this Jim Hobart? That was one of the first +things to be learned. Was he in any way personally interested in the +fortune left by Stephen Coolidge? Or did he hold any special relationship +with the murdered man? How could he expect to profit by the sudden death +of Percival? More important still, what peculiar influence did the fellow +exert over the girl? Here was by far the deeper mystery, the one that +troubled him most. The others seemed possible of explanation, but the +sudden change in Natalie Coolidge was beyond all understanding. + +Except in face, form, dress, outward appearance, she no longer seemed to +West as being the same woman he had formerly known. His original interest +in her had vanished; he had learned to distrust and doubt her sincerity +and truth. Beyond all question she was openly playing an important part +in this tragedy under Hobart's direction, but for the life of him he +could not figure out to what end. Still the very mystery of it had its +fascination. While he felt no longer any special desire to serve her, to +further risk his life in her cause, yet he experienced a fierce +determination to learn what all this really meant; to uncover the object +these conspirators had in view. Although he imagined love no longer +spurred him on, his real interest in the affair became even more intense, +with an aroused desire to read the riddle. He convinced himself that from +henceforth this was to be his only object--not the girl, nor any +attraction she once had for him, but a stern determination to solve this +crime, and bring its perpetrators to justice. If she was involved it +could not be helped, she would have to suffer with the rest; his own duty +was clear. + +Yet how could he begin action? What clue did he possess which could be +followed? Practically none. Before morning, that saloon on Wray Street +would unquestionably be deserted, except perhaps by its proprietor, and +Mike would simply deny everything. A search of the place would be +useless, for Hobart would be too sly a fox to leave any trail. Two +possibilities remained; the police might have some record of the fellow, +might know his favourite haunts, even be able to locate his next probable +hiding place. If not, the only hope remaining would seem to be Natalie +Coolidge. She would undoubtedly return to Fairlawn; was probably there +already, and, by shadowing her, the whereabouts of Hobart would surely be +revealed either sooner or later. + +But possibly there was a quicker way to learn their purpose than by +thus seeking to find either. If it was the Coolidge fortune which was +at stake, why not endeavour to learn in whose trust it was being held, +and what steps were being taken to safe-guard it? This investigation +ought not to be particularly difficult, even though he possessed no +authority; he could explain the nature of his interest to an attorney, +and be advised how to proceed. Determined to take all three steps the +first thing next day, West rested back comfortably in the chair, +already half asleep. One hand rested in his pocket, and as his fingers +fumbled some object there, he suddenly recalled the knife Sexton had +found in the alley. + +He drew the article forth curiously, and looked at it under the glow of +the electric light--it was a small silver handled pen-knife, such as a +lady might carry, a rather strange thing to be discovered in a dirt alley +back of Wray Street. The incongruity struck him forcibly, and he sat up, +wide awake once more, seeking for some mark of identification on the +polished handle. There was none, not an inscription of any kind, but he +noted that the single slender blade did not fit closely down into its +place. He opened it idly to learn the cause--beneath appeared the white +gleam of tightly folded paper. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +WHAT THE TELEPHONE TOLD + + +All West's indifference vanished instantly. He had to pry the paper out, +so closely had it been wedged in beneath the closed knife blade, and it +required a moment in which to straighten it out so that the writing was +discernable. Even then the marks were so faint, and minute, he could not +really decipher them until he made use of a magnifying glass lying on the +desk. A woman's hand, using a pencil, had hastily inscribed the words on +a scrap of common paper, apparently torn from some book--the inspiration +of an instant, perhaps, a sudden hope born of desperation. He fairly had +to dig the words out, letter by letter, copying them on an old envelope +until he had the message complete: "_Please notify police to search +Seminole quick_." + +West read this over, word by word, again and again. What did it mean? Did +it mean anything? Had it any possible connection with the case in which +he was interested? There was no signature, nothing to guide him; yet in +some way the plea sounded real, was a cry of distress, an appeal for +help. It could be given no other meaning, yet how long had it been lying +there in the alley? Not any great length of time surely, for the polished +silver was far too conspicuous to escape notice. It must have been +dropped during the night, within a very short time of its discovery. But +what did the words signify? "_Notify police_" was clear enough, but +"_search Seminole_" meant absolutely nothing. What was "Seminole"--an +apartment house? A hotel? A saloon? Perhaps the police would know; +evidently the writer so believed, or she would never have used the name +with such confidence. A familiar name to her, she assumed that the police +would have no difficulty in instantly locating the place meant. The haste +with which the message had apparently been written, its short, sharp +words, bespoke urgent need, the consciousness of imminent peril. Plainly +the writer had used the only means at hand in a hurried desperate effort +to gain assistance. + +"The police." The request had been for the police; then why not appeal to +the police? Why not take the note now directly to headquarters, and let +them help solve its mystery? At first West hesitated, yet a moment's +thought convinced him this would be the logical course to pursue. He +could accomplish nothing alone, unguided. His appealing to the police +need not necessarily involve any disclosure relative to the Coolidge +matter. He had found this note accidentally in an alley in the northwest +section of the city; his being there need require no special explanation; +he did not understand its meaning, but it was quite evidently a police +matter, and consequently he placed it in their hands. That all sounded +natural enough. Besides at this hour of the night there was no other +place to which he could go for information. + +He looked at Sexton, who was sleeping soundly, and decided not to awaken +the man. He had no use for his services just now; the City Hall was only +a few blocks away, and he might not be out more than an hour himself. He +would leave a note so that if by any chance he should be delayed, Sexton +would understand what had occurred. He scratched this off hastily, placed +it in a conspicuous place, and swiftly departed, after extinguishing the +light. He was no longer conscious of fatigue, or the pain of bruises, his +mind eager to learn the meaning of this new discovery. + +It had been a quiet night at the City Hall Station, and West encountered +no difficulty in reaching the presence of the lieutenant in charge. The +latter gazed at his caller curiously over an early edition of the morning +paper, as the officer who had opened the door to the inner office, said +rather doubtfully. + +"This guy wants to see you personally, sir; he wouldn't talk to no +one else." + +"All right, Slavin; shut the door, and I'll hear what he has to say. What +is it, my man?" + +West explained swiftly and clearly, his manner of speech, as well as his +statement as to who he was, evidently making a favourable impression on +his listener, who interrupted the brief narrative with several +respectfully asked questions. He look the note, spread it out on the +desk, and studied it carefully. + +"Looks genuine enough," he commented at last, "but not very clear. I +don't know any place in this town called Seminole. Wait a minute though; +perhaps one of the boys may have an idea." + +He pressed a button on top of the desk, and in response to the summons, a +side door opened, and a main in plain clothes entered. + +"You rang, sir?" + +"Yes, McAdams; this gentleman here--" + +"Captain West, as I am a sinner!" he exclaimed. "Gee! but I am glad to +see you again, old man! Say. By Gad! you don't remember me." + +"Oh, but I certainly do, Mac," and West grasped the extended hand +heartily. "It's a devil of a surprise, that's all. Saw you last at Brest, +the day you sailed for home. So this was your job, Sergeant?" + +"Been with the department ever since I was a kid. Put me in plain clothes +since I came back. Lieutenant, this is Captain West, over across the pond +with the Engineers; we were buddies for about two months. What was +wanted, sir?" + +"Well, Captain West has just been telling me a rather peculiar story, and +wanted some information I thought perhaps you could give; you know the +old town right now better than I do. First of all, do you recall any +crook by the name of Hobart--Jim Hobart?" + +"Hobart? Hobart? no, not off hand, I don't. How old a man is he, +Captain?" + +"Middle-aged, anyway; an active fellow enough, but his hair is +quite grey." + +"Do you know where he hangs out?" + +"The last I saw of him was in a saloon known as Mike's Place over on +Wray Street." + +"Off Milwaukee; yes, I know. Mike is a big Pole, but has never had any +serious trouble so far as I know. However, being there is no special +recommendation to a guy, but I don't believe this man Hobart has been +pulled since I've been on the force. And you don't recall the name, +Lieutenant?" + +"No; but he might be an old timer come back. Look him up in the index, +Mac. That will soon tell you whether we have got any such mug, or not." + +McAdams drew out a thick volume from a near-by cabinet, and ran his +fingers swiftly down a long column of names, indexed under the letter +"H." Suddenly he stopped, with an exclamation. + +"The lad is here all right--Government offence, fifteen years ago, third +arrest; mugged number 28113. Let's look him up, and see if he is the same +man. Come over here, Captain." + +"Is that the fellow?" he asked. + +West studied the face seriously. + +"Yes, I believe it is, Mac," he said at length. "He looks much older now, +but those are his features all right. What was his game?" + +"'Con' mostly, according to the record; only one conviction though, two +years in Detroit for using the mails to defraud. Oh, yes, here is +something different, 'assault with intent to kill'--indeterminate +sentence to Joliet for that. Nothing heard of him since. So he is back, +and at the old game again. Do you want him brought in, Captain?" + +"No, not yet. I haven't anything against the man now but a suspicion. I +wanted to learn his record, that's all. This inquiry was only incidental. +What I'm really interested in just at present is something I picked up in +the alley back of Mike's Place three or four hours ago. It's a note in a +woman's hand-writing, and when I found it, it was hidden in a small +silver pen-knife, such as a lady might carry. I thought it might have +some connection with the case I'm trying to catch this fellow Hobart in." + +"There is a woman in it, then?" + +"Yes; but I haven't got things hitched up sufficiently to talk about it. +The note itself is blind." + +"In what respect?" + +"Well, here it is. Can you make it out? I'll read it for you--'_Please +notify police to search Seminole quick_.'" + +"No signature?" + +"None." + +"But that is plain enough, isn't it?" + +"Yes, if you know what she means by Seminole; what is it? a street? an +apartment house? a saloon? Do you know of anything under that name?" + +McAdams stood motionless thinking. + +"No, by thunder, I don't," he admitted reluctantly. "There is no street +of that name in the city. There used to be a shady hotel over on Ontario +Street called 'The Seminole,' but that was torn down ten years ago. I +never heard of any other--did you, Dave?" + +"No," answered the lieutenant slowly, sucking away at a cigar. "I just +been looking over the directory, and I don't find nothing. Maybe it's the +name of a boat--seems to me I've heard some such name before, but I don't +just recollect where." + +"A boat! Well, that's a straw anyway, and worth looking up." Mac picked +up the telephone. "Who is on at the Harbour Master's office this time +of night?" + +"Winchell, usually, and he'll have a record there." + +The detective jiggled the receiver impatiently. + +"Yes, this is police headquarters calling. Give me the Harbour Master's +office, please--I said the Harbour office. Oh, is this you, Dan? Bob +McAdams speaking. Do you know of any boat on the lakes called the +_Seminole_? What's that? A lumber schooner at Escanaba? Never makes this +port, you say? And you don't know of any other by that name? Sure, I'll +hold the wire; look it up." + +"Not a very promising lead," he said over his shoulder, "but Dan will +have the dope for us in a minute." + +He suddenly straightened up, the receiver at his ear. + +"I didn't quite get that, Dan. A medium sized yacht, you say? Where is +it? Oh, at the Jackson Park lagoon. I see; and who did you say owned it? +What's that? I didn't quite catch the name--Coolidge? What Coolidge? +Exactly; the fellow who killed himself out south. Hold the wire." + +He swung about to face West, the receiver still at his ear. + +"This mean anything to you?" + +"It surely does," eagerly. "The girl I spoke of was Natalie Coolidge. By +all the gods, we are on the right track." + +"All right, Dan," resuming his conversation. "What's that? Coolidge had +the boat up the river a few weeks ago trying to sell it. That's how you +happened to remember the name--I see. Say, is there any one out at +Jackson Park I could talk to at this hour? Who? Oh, yes, the Life +Saving Station. Sure: somebody will be on duty there. Thanks, old +man--good night." + +He hung the receiver up on the hook, and reached for the telephone +directory. + +"Some luck, I say. Jackson Park--oh, yes, here it is. All right, Central; +sure, that is the proper number. This is the City Hall Police +Headquarters again; hustle it up, please. Hullo, Jackson Park Life Saving +Station? Good; this is McAdams speaking from the City Detective Bureau. +Is there a yacht out there in the lagoon called the Seminole? belongs to +a man named Coolidge; medium sized boat, with gas engine. Yes; what's +that? Not there now; went out into the lake about two hours ago. The hell +it did! Who was aboard? do you know? Say that again; oh, you wasn't on +watch when she sailed; your partner said what? Three men and a woman. All +right, yes, I got it. Say now, listen; this is a police matter, so keep +your eyes open. It will be daylight pretty soon, and if you get sight of +that boat, call up the City Hall Station at once. Do you get me?" + +He wheeled about, smiling whimsically. + +"It's on again, off again, Flannigan. We had it, and we have it not. +Dave I am getting interested; I feel the lure of the chase. What say +you? Can you spare me for a day or two? You can? good enough; we'll comb +the lakes until we find out who is sailing aboard the _Seminole_. You're +with me, old man?" + +West extended his hand silently, and the fingers of the two clasped in a +mutual pledge. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +THE YACHT "SEMINOLE" + + +There was little to do but wait impatiently for some further message of +guidance. McAdams dispatched a few telegrams to nearby lake ports, and +briefly outlined certain plans of action for the morrow, provided nothing +further was heard from the missing boat; these included a possible visit +to Fairlawn, and a city-wide search for Hobart, who both men decided +could not be included among the party on the yacht. West told his new +assistant the entire story in detail, and Mac's interest in ferreting out +the matter became intense. It was the kind of case which fascinated him +with its mystery, but no theory he could spin born from long police +experience, seemed to exactly fit all the revealed facts. The great +puzzle revolved about the strange actions of the girl; her part in the +affair presenting an unsolvable riddle. They must have talked for an +hour, discussing the situation frankly from every angle, yet arriving at +no definite conclusion. The sky in the east was red with dawn when both +men fell fast asleep in their chairs, still waiting. + +It was nine o'clock, and still no word. The two had eaten a hasty +breakfast in a restaurant across the street, discussing the situation +again thoroughly, but to no more satisfactory result. It seemed +impossible to reconcile certain facts. If the silver knife, with its call +for help, had indeed been dropped by Natalie Coolidge, and she was being +held a prisoner in the hands of villains on board the _Seminole_, why had +she acted toward West as she did in that house on Wray Street? To all +appearances there she had been hand in glove with the conspirators, +willing even to connive at the Captain's murder if necessary to the +success of their crime. Only one theory was possible; that the girl was +under constraint, driven to her strange act by personal fear. She dare do +nothing else, terrorized by the threats of Hobart, and her own sense of +utter helplessness in his power. This, and this only, must be the answer +to the riddle. + +McAdams, unable to remain quiet, departed to get his police search +started in an attempt to discover Hobart in his new hiding place. The +fellow could not be on the yacht, as that had sailed from Jackson Port at +far too early an hour for him to have possibly made one of the party. He +would still be in the city then, securely concealed in some dive of the +underworld, perfecting his plans, whatever they might be, and, perhaps, +arranging to join those on the boat later. The detective even thought +this unlikely, his theory being that Hobart merely desired to get the +girl safely out of the way for a length of time sufficient to enable him +to complete his nefarious scheme. He argued that Natalie was in no real +danger; she would be held no doubt, kept out of sight as long as was +necessary, but otherwise left uninjured. This was no strong-arm crime, +but a high class confidence game, and the important thing was to quickly +lay hands on Hobart. With him once in the toils, the whole conspiracy +would instantly collapse. With this end in view, McAdams took up the +man's trail, leaving West to stand guard over the telephone. + +The latter called up Sexton, and hurried him out to Fairlawn, with +instructions to find out all he could from the servants there relative +to any late developments. He expected no important revelation from this +point, as Natalie could not have returned home, yet there might have +been a telephone communication, or some other occurrence of interest to +furnish a clue. Sexton was instructed to report the result of his +investigation at the earliest moment possible. This accomplished, +nothing remained for West to do, but sit down and wait for something +else to happen. + +The delay was shorter than he anticipated. There was a sharp ringing of +the bell, the police operator responding quickly. + +"Police Headquarters. What's wanted? McAdams; no he is not in just +now. Who is calling him? Harbour Master's office; all right; hold the +wire a minute." + +He turned his head around. + +"Must be your case, Captain; better hear what they have to say." + +West grasped the receiver eagerly. + +"Is this the Seminole matter?" he asked swiftly. "Certainly, I +understand about it. What's that. Oh, Winchell told you to call up if +you learned anything. Of course; what is it? Yes, I hear; just found her +tied up at north side of Municipal Pier. What's the trouble? Engine +working bad, and had to come in, hey? All right--thanks; I'll go +straight over and see them." + +This was great luck, yet there was very little he could hope to +accomplish alone, without the help and authority of McAdams. Even if the +vessel had been stolen--which was probably not true--he possessed no +power of arrest. All he could hope to do would be to keep the fellows in +sight until Mac showed up, and, if possible, prevent them from putting +out into the lake again. Even in that he needs must be cautious not to be +seen by any of the gang who might recognize him. An alarm, proving they +were being followed, would doubtless send them scattering instantly. If +they were to be trapped, no suspicion could be aroused. + +West thought of all these things as a taxi bore him across the city to +the pier, and acted accordingly. The open air restaurant accorded him +every reasonable opportunity for concealment, while affording ample view +of whatever was going on. It was a bright, sunshiny day, the waters of +the lake a deep blue. No crowd was present, yet enough people were at the +tables, or lounging about the pier, to make his presence unnoticeable. +The pleasure boat for Lincoln Park, a band aboard, and with a barker +industriously busy, was close by, surrounded by a bevy of women and +children. Beyond these, on the same side, snuggled close against the +cement wall, lay the yacht. West ordered a drink, and sat down at a table +within easy view, although partially concealed himself by a pillar +supporting the roof. + +The _Seminole_ was a much larger boat than he had anticipated seeing, +yet he could not doubt her being the vessel sought. The name was plainly +stencilled on the bow, as well as upon the dingy towing astern. Her deck +lay almost even with the promenade, and he was able to trace her lines +clearly from where he sat. The craft had evidently been constructed for +comfort as well as speed. He noted two short masts unrigged, a bridge +forward of the wheel-house, together with a decidedly commodious cabin +aft. The deck space between was clear, except for the hatchway leading +down to the engine. The planking was clean, as though newly scrubbed, +while every handrail glistened in the sun. The cabin appeared tightly +closed, even the windows being heavily draped. Some mechanics were +evidently working below; there was a sound of hammering, and occasionally +a fellow in overalls appeared at the hatch opening. No one wearing any +semblance of a yacht uniform was visible, although four or five men +lounged about the deck, or close at hand on the pier, apparently +connected with the vessel. Two were well-dressed, rather gentlemanly +appearing fellows, the others of a decidedly rougher class, although +bearing no outward marks of being sea-men. While an air of carelessness +was assumed by all these, yet West, watching them closely, felt that +they were very much on their guard, anxiously waiting an opportunity to +depart. No face among the party had any familiarity; he had encountered +none of them at Mike's Place the evening before. Satisfied as to this, he +left the table, and strolled out on to the promenade, joining the crowd +watching the Lincoln Park boat get underway. So far as he could observe +this movement attracted no attention, although a moment later his eyes +plainly caught a bit of drapery drawn slightly aside at one of the cabin +windows of the _Seminole_, and, he felt convinced, the quick gesture of a +woman's hand. + +There was a woman on board then! This certainty of knowledge by evidence +of his own eyes, set his blood leaping. Whatever the purposes of these +people he was again upon the right trail. The uplifted curtain was +immediately lowered, and, if any signal had thus been conveyed, there was +no other evidence visible. A little later one of the two better dressed +fellows loafing on the pier, a rather heavily built man, with closely +clipped red moustache, and a scar over one eye, slowly crossed the deck, +and entered the cabin. He came forth again a moment later, asked some +question of the workmen below and then clambered back carelessly over +the rail, joining his companion on the pier. + +"A half hour yet; it was quite a job the boy's had, but they are making +time. Come over here a minute." + +They walked forward, out of earshot from where West sat on a bench in the +sun. He watched the fellows closely, yet without neglecting the boat, but +they neither glanced toward him, or seemed aware of his existence. +Convinced that they felt no suspicion, but were merely exercising +ordinary precaution not to be overheard, the watcher soon banished all +fear of them from his mind. His whole thought centred on the early +arrival of McAdams. Until the detective came, there was nothing he could +do but sit there quietly and wait. But what if the necessary repairs were +completed, and the _Seminole_ sailed before Mac got there? The fellow +called Joe had mentioned half an hour, and he probably meant that was the +time set by the mechanics for completing their job on the engine. Beyond +doubt, the intention was to depart immediately. Was there any means in +his power by which this could be prevented? The only suggestion which +came to him was the picking of a quarrel in some way, with the two men +ashore. The boat would never depart unless they were aboard, as they +were evidently the leaders of the gang, yet this would be a most +desperate expedient, to be resorted to only when all other effort had +failed. The two were husky chaps, and he would probably be the one to +suffer most in such an encounter. Besides it would put them on their +guard, and possibly avail nothing. Why not speak to the fellows +pleasantly, and naturally? They had no reason to be suspicious of him; he +was but one of many others lounging idly about the pier. His curiosity +would seem reasonable enough, and he might thus gain some clue as to +their destination. Then, even if they did sail before Mac appeared, they +could be safely intercepted in time for a rescue. Indeed, such +information, if it could be gained, would give opportunity to plan +effective action. + +Circumstances seemed to work to this end, the two men strolling +carelessly back toward where he sat, pausing within a few feet of him, +all their attention apparently riveted upon the yacht. + +"Had some hard luck?" he ventured. "Engine give out?" + +The red-moustached one glanced about, his eyes surveying the speaker +indifferently. + +"Broke a piston, and had to be towed in," he replied carelessly, "We'll +be off again presently." + +"Nice day for a sail." + +"Sure is." + +The very indifference of the fellow led West to take a chance. + +"Some nice boat you've got there. The Coolidge yacht, isn't it? Haven't +seen it out lately." + +"Are you a yachtsman?" + +"A bit of an amateur, yes; have a cat-boat I play with some. Belong to +the Columbia Club." + +"Off Grant Park; this boat quarters in the Jackson lagoon. We left there +last night. You knew Coolidge?" + +"No, never met him; recognized the boat though. Has it been sold?" + +"Not yet. It wasn't his anyway; belonged to the estate. I'm one of the +trustees; that's how I've got the use of it--see? Ever looked it over?" + +West shook his head. + +"No, but I wouldn't mind; she's a dandy." + +"She sure is; better inside than out to my notion. Come aboard; we've got +time enough. Not thinking of buying a yacht, are you?" + +"Well, I might, if the price is not too steep. I've got the fever all +right; what I lack maybe, is money. It costs a lot to run a yacht." + +"Oh, I don't know. We operate this with three men as a crew. That's not +so bad. Come along with us, Mark; we'll take a look at the cabin first, +and then go forward." + +The three men stepped over the low rail, and moved aft across the deck, +the leader talking fluently, and pointing out various things of interest. +His only object apparently was to arouse in West a desire to purchase. +The other man never spoke, and the latter gave no thought to his +presence. He had been rarely fortunate so far, and was looking for an +opportunity to question his guide on the purpose of their voyage. He +would wait until later; until the examination had been completed, +perhaps, when they believed him a possible purchaser. Joe opened the +cabin door, and West stepped inside, the interior darkened by drawn +curtains. The dusk was confusing, and he stood still after the first +step, hearing the latch click behind him. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +KIDNAPPED + + +A hand gripped his shoulder as though in a vise, and swung him around; +the muzzle of an automatic confronted him, and behind it the threatening +eyes of Joe glared directly into his own. + +"Not a move, you damned spy," a voice said coldly. "Now, Mark, frisk the +cuss, and be lively about it. Had a gun, hey; I thought so. Give it to +me. Now get the cord over there and give him a turn or two. A very good +job, old boy; the fellow is safe enough, I should say." + +He turned his eyes away, searching the cabin, confident that West was +sufficiently secured. + +"Come on out, Mary," he said sharply. "Who is this guy, anyhow?" + +A woman came forward through the shadows. West had a glimpse of her face, +but the features were unfamiliar. A woman of forty, perhaps, still +attractive in appearance, with dark hair and bold black eyes that met +his own defiantly. He was puzzled, doubtful as to what it all meant. So +this was the woman he had seen on board; not Natalie Coolidge at all. +There had been a mistake of some kind; but if so, why had these people +given him this sort of reception aboard? These thoughts swept his mind in +a flash, as the woman peered forward to see his features more clearly. +For a moment she said nothing, and Joe broke out impatiently. + +"He's the lad, ain't he?" he asked. "We ain't gone an' picked up the +wrong guy?" + +"No; he's the bird all right. I never lamped him but once before myself. +I heard his name then, but forgot it. He's her friend, there ain't no +doubt o' that, Joe, and it ain't likely he's hanging around here just for +fun, is it? My idea was it would be safer to take him in." + +"Sure; what's yer name, young fellow?" + +Concealment was useless; they evidently had him correctly spotted; to lie +would do no good. + +"Matthew West." + +"That's the name," the woman exclaimed eagerly. "He is a soldier--a +Captain, or something like that. Jim told me about him; he's the same +fellow who was snooping about Mike's Place last night, before we +pulled out." + +"Is that so? How the hell did you get out of there?" + +"We had a little trouble," West admitted, "but they let me go." + +"Yes, they did! I know better than that; Hobart don't do business +that way. I reckon we've played his game all right taking you in. +Well, you don't get out of here so easy, let me tell you. How'd you +come to get onto us?" + +"That's my business." + +"Oh, is it? Well, we'll make it ours from now on. There is one thing +pretty sure--you were here playing a lone hand. So it don't make much +difference what yer idea was. We'll take the bird along with us, Mary; +then he'll be out of temptation." + +The woman nodded. + +"Jim will know what to do with him," she said. "All we got to do is keep +him safe." + +"I'll attend to that; come on, Mark, let's throw the damn sneak into that +left-hand stateroom. He'll stay there all right. Aw, take hold; don't be +afraid of hurting the fellow." + +They roughed him forward, but West made no attempt to resist; his hands +were bound, and he was helpless. The woman threw open the narrow door, +and he was bundled unceremoniously across the threshold, and thrown +heavily to the floor. He struggled partially upright, protesting against +being left in that helpless condition, but the red-moustached man only +laughed, shutting the door tightly, and locking it. The single port hole +was covered by heavy drapery, the stateroom in total darkness. Through +the door panels he could hear a voice speaking. + +"He's better off that way until we get out of here. You stay here, Mary, +till I can attend to him myself. Those fellows ought to have that engine +fixed by this time. Mark and I better go up on deck awhile." + +"But, Joe, do you think they have caught on to us?" she asked anxiously. + +"No, I don't; this guy wouldn't be snooping about alone if they had. He +ain't no fly cop, and just happened to be loafin' here--that's my guess. +He knew this was the Coolidge Yacht, and that set him to asking +questions. That guy don't look to me like he was the kind to be afraid +of. All we got to do is hold him here until Jim decides what he's up to. +I don't want to hurt him none, unless I have to. Everything else all +right, I suppose?" + +"Sure; quiet as a mouse; asleep, I guess." + +"That's good; well you stay here until I come back. Want a gun?" + +She did not answer so as to be heard, but West could distinguish the +movement of feet in the outer cabin, and then the closing of a door. +Undoubtedly the two men had gone on deck, leaving the woman there alone. +His feet were not tied, and he could sit up, although the hands were +tightly bound behind him. With eyes accustoming themselves to the gloom, +he could discern something of his surroundings. He was in the ordinary +stateroom of a small yacht, with barely space in which to move about +comfortably. Two bunks were at one side, with a metal stand at their foot +for washing purposes. A rug covered the floor, the beds were made, and a +stool, screwed to the deck, occupied a position just below the porthole. +A few hooks were in evidence on the opposite wall; but no garments +dangled from them to tell of previous occupancy. Indeed the place was +scrupulously clean, as though unused for some time. + +West made his way to the port, pushed aside the curtain with his +shoulders and looked out. The smallness of the opening made any hope of +escape in that way impossible; nor could he expect to attract the +attention of any one ashore. His view was limited to the east and north, +a wide expanse of blue water, the only thing in sight being the pleasure +boat bound for Lincoln Park, already little more than a black dot in the +distance. Convinced of his complete helplessness, he sat down on the +stool to consider the situation. + +He had been a fool; there was no doubt as to that; the only thing now was +how he could best retrieve his folly. He had walked blindly into a trap, +suspecting nothing, confidently relying on his own smartness, believing +himself unknown. Now he must find his way out. It angered him to realize +how easily it had been accomplished; not so much as a blow struck; no +opportunity even for him to cry out an alarm--only that dark cabin, and +the threatening revolver shoved against his cheek. He wondered where +McAdams was; perhaps hunting him even then on the pier; and Sexton, what +had he succeeded in discovering out at Fairlawn? That Natalie Coolidge +had returned home, no doubt. At least he no longer believed she was with +this yachting party--evidently there was but one woman on board. Yet, +whether she was there or not, it was clear enough from what he had heard +that this sudden voyage of the _Seminole_ had some direct connection with +the mystery he was endeavouring to solve. That was why he had been +decoyed aboard, and made prisoner--to keep him silent; to get him +securely out of the way. Yet this knowledge revealed nothing as to what +their real purpose was. + +What did they intend doing with him now that he was in their hands? Joe +had declared his fate would be left with Hobart. Then it must be that +they had a rendezvous arranged somewhere with that arch-conspirator, some +hidden spot along the lake shore where they were to meet shortly, and +divide the spoils, or make further plans. Hobart unquestionably was the +leader of the gang; but who was the woman? She had evidently been in +Mike's Place the night before, and had a glimpse of his face. She must +have left with that party in the automobile, yet she surely was not the +one who had dropped that note begging the police to search this vessel. + +What then had become of the other? If she was being held prisoner, it was +not at all probable she had been left somewhere ashore; apparently she +had reason to know where she was being taken--to the _Seminole_; +otherwise she would never have written as she did. She must have +overheard their plans, before she hastily scratched off the note +desperately; and yet those plans might have been changed. However, if so, +why were these people--accomplices of Hobart no doubt--fleeing in the +yacht, seeking to conceal their identity in an effort to disappear? What +were they fleeing from? Why were they so fearful of discovery by the +police? What would cause them to kidnap him, merely on suspicion that he +was a friend of Natalie Coolidge? The very act was proof positive of the +desperation of their crime. It could be accounted for on no other theory. + +West paced the narrow space, his brain whirling, as he attempted to +reason the affair out, his own helplessness becoming more and more +apparent. What could he do? There was but one answer--absolutely nothing +as he was then situated. He could only wait for some movement on the +part of the others; his fate was out of his own hands; he had been a +fool, and must pay the price. The cords about his wrists chafed and hurt +with each movement. The metal wash-stand gave him an inspiration; its +upper strip was thin, and somewhat jagged along the edge; possibly it +might be utilized to sever the strands. It was better to try the +experiment than remain thus helplessly bound. With hands free he could +at least defend himself. + +He made the effort, doubtfully at first, but hope came as the sharp edge +began to tear at the rope. It was slow work, awkward, requiring all the +strength of his arms, yet he felt sure of progress. He could feel the +strands yield little by little, and redoubled his efforts. It hurt, the +rope lacerating his wrists, and occasionally the jagged steel cut into +the flesh cruelly, but the thought of freedom outweighed the pain, and he +persevered manfully. At last, exercising all his muscle, the last frayed +strand snapped. His wrists were bleeding, and the hands numb, but the +severed cord lay on the floor and he again had the free use of his arms. +The sudden freedom brought new hope and courage. He listened at the door, +testing the knob cautiously. There was no yielding, and for the moment no +sound reached him from without. The woman was doubtless there on guard, +and any effort he might make to break down the door would only bring the +whole gang upon him. Unarmed, he could not hope to fight them all. As he +stood there, hesitating, unable to determine what to attempt, he became +aware of a throbbing under foot, increasing in intensity. West knew +instantly what it meant--they were testing out the engine; if all worked +well, the boat would cast off. + +He sprang back to the port and stared out, eagerly hoping that, as they +swept out into the lake, he might find some opportunity to communicate +with some one on the pier. Perhaps by this time Mac would have arrived, +and be watching their departure, unable to intervene, as he had no +warrant for arrest, or any definite knowledge that the yacht was being +used for a criminal purpose. He had not long to wait. Hurrying steps +echoed along the deck; a voice shouted out some order, and the end of a +loosened rope dropped splashing into the water astern; the boat trembled +to the pulsations of the engine, and West realized that it was at first +slowly, then more swiftly, slipping away into the broad water. Already he +could perceive the white wake astern, and, an instant later, as the turn +to the right widened, he had a glimpse of the pier, already separated +from him by a broad expanse of trembling water. Above the noise his voice +would scarcely reach that distance. A crowd of people stood there +watching, clinging along the edge of the promenade--McAdams was not among +them. It would be useless to strive to attract their attention; not one +among them would comprehend; even if they did, not one of them could +help. He still stood there, gazing back at the fast receding pier, +gradually becoming blurred in the distance, but hopelessly. He knew now +he must face his fate alone. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE FATE OF A PRISONER + + +The _Seminole_ headed straight out into the lake, its course evidently a +little to the north of east. The steady throb of the engine exhibited no +lack of power, the snowy wake behind telling of rapid progress. There was +a distinct swell to the water, increasing as they advanced, but not +enough to seriously retard speed, the sharp bow of the yacht cutting +through the waves like the blade of a knife, the broken water churning +along the sides. West clung to his perch, peering out through the open +port, watching the fast disappearing shore line in the giant curve from +the Municipal Pier northward to Lincoln Park. In spite of the brightness +overhead, there must have been fog in the air, for that distant view +quickly became obscure and then as suddenly vanished altogether. There +remained no sign of land in sight; only the seemingly limitless expanse +of blue water, not so much as a trail of smoke breaking the encircling +rim of the sky. + +Except for the occasional tread of feet on the deck above, and the faint +call of a voice giving orders, the yacht seemed deserted, moving unguided +across the waste of waters. No sound of movement or speech reached West's +ears from the cabin, and he settled down into moody forgetfulness, still +staring dully out through the open port. What was to be, would be, but +there was nothing for him to do but wait for those who held him prisoner, +to act. He was still seated there, listless, incapable even of further +thought, when the door was suddenly unlocked. He had barely time to arise +to his feet, when the man with the red moustache stepped within, facing +him, as he pushed tightly shut the door behind. The fellow's eyes saw the +severed rope on the floor, and he smiled, kicking the strands aside +contemptuously. + +"Smart enough for that, were you?" he asked. "Well, I would have taken +them off myself, if I had thought about it. How did you manage? Oh, I +see; rather a bright trick, old man. Feeling pretty fit, are you?" + +West did not answer at once; this fellow had come with an object in mind, +and his only desire was to baffle him. It was to be a contest of wits, +and helpless as the prisoner was physically, he had no intention of +playing into the other's hands. + +"I might be, if I knew what all this meant," he said at last. "Haven't +you got hold of the wrong party?" + +The man laughed, standing where he blocked all passage. + +"I might have been convinced that I had an hour ago," he answered coldly. +"But since then I find I've made rather a good bet. I have the honour of +addressing Captain West, I believe?" + +"You have the name correct; there is no reason why I should deny that. +Unfortunately, I do not know with whom I am conversing." + +"Quite easily remedied. I am Joe Hogan, commonly called 'Red' Hogan. The +moniker means nothing to you." + +"I never heard it before." + +"I thought not, which merely proves you are not a 'fly-cop,' only a +measly busy-body sticking your nose into some one else's business. Well, +we know how to take care of your kind, and this is likely to prove the +last case you'll dabble in for a while, my man." + +"What does that mean--a threat?" + +"Never mind what it means; it is a straight tip. Now listen, +West--Captain West I believe is the proper term of address--and you will +understand better. When I got you in here I had no real knowledge as to +who you were. I merely took a chance on what Mary had to say, and she +twigged you at once. She's smart, that woman; never forgets a face. She +sure did a good job this time. But after you were locked in safe, and +nobody knew what had happened, and you certainly handled easily enough, I +slipped ashore into the restaurant and called up Jim Hobart on the wire. +Did he give me your pedigree? He did. Jim was about the happiest guy in +the town when he learned we had you bottled. Raised hell last night, +didn't you? All right, my friend, you are going to pay the piper today. +What got you into this muss, anyhow? You are no relation to the Coolidge +girl, are you?" + +"None whatever; merely a friend." + +"Friend, hey! Well, she's a good looker; so this friendship stuff is +easily accounted for. Friend, hell!" he laughed. "You must have it bad to +put on all these stunts for sweet friendship's sake. You wouldn't even +quit when she told you to." + +"I believed she was compelled to say what she did to me," replied West +quietly. "That she was in Hobart's power, afraid of her life. There was +no other explanation of her strange action possible." + +"Is that so?" + +"I am willing to listen to such an explanation, Hogan, and if satisfied +she really wishes me to keep out of the affair, I will." + +"And if not?" + +"Then I am going to fight in her cause to the very end of things. You +cannot frighten me; your only chance to influence my action is to make +things clear. I confess I have been fighting in the dark, not even +comprehending your purpose. I do know that the main stake your gang is +after is the Coolidge fortune; that, in order to get hold of it, you are +obliged to keep control over Miss Natalie. But I can conceive no reason +why she should assist in the conspiracy. She certainly cannot be +benefited by having her own fortune stolen. This is what puzzles me, but +it hasn't changed my loyalty to her. I still believe in her, and feel +that she is simply a victim of circumstances beyond her control. Am I +frank enough?" + +"Sure; it all means you intend to remain a blunder-headed fool defending +a girl who does not desire any defence--a Don Quixote tilting at +wind-mills. That is your choice, is it?" + +"Unless you care to explain clearly just how Miss Natalie's interests are +being protected." + +"Which I am not at liberty to do at present. She is satisfied, and has +practically told you so, according to Jim Hobart. If you will not accept +her word, there is no use of my saying anything about the matter. +Besides, West, frankly I don't give a damn what you think. We've got you +safe enough, where you can't do anything, even if you want to--so, why +worry? Twenty-four hours more will finish our little job, and, until that +time is up, you'll remain right here; after that we don't care where in +hell you go, or what you do--the game will have been played." + +The man's tone, and air of confidence was impressive; beyond doubt +he felt that the cards were all in his hands. West drew in his +breath sharply. + +"Apparently you are right," he said quietly. "May I ask a question or +two?" + +"Fire away; I'll answer as I please." + +"Who is the woman on board?" + +"Mary, you mean? Hobart's wife." + +"She came from the place on Wray Street last night in an auto?" + +"Yes; I brought her along myself." + +"Alone?" + +"There were two of us, Mark and I--why? what are you driving at?" + +"Just putting some broken threads together. Then Natalie Coolidge is not +on this yacht?" + +"I should say not. What would we be doing with her out here?" + +"Where is she then?" + +"Oh, I begin to see what brought you aboard so easily, West. You thought +we had the lady kidnapped, and was sailing off with her. Some stunt that. +What put the idea in your head?" + +West hesitated a moment, but decided a truthful answer would do no harm. + +"I knew an automobile had driven out of the alley back of Mike's Place; +and that a woman was in it. When I got away a little later, I picked up a +message--a note which had been dropped. It was written in a woman's hand +but unsigned--" + +"The little cat! She dropped it?" + +"It seems so. You forgot yourself that time. So she was with you, was +she?" + +"I don't know what you mean. I told you who were with me. Go on; what did +the note say?" + +"It was only a request for the police to search the _Seminole_ at once." + +"Oh, that's the way the wind blows. But you preferred to tackle the job +yourself. I am certainly obliged to you, West." + +"You have no reason to be. I took that note to the police, and they are +on the case. They are combing the city right now for Hobart, and if they +get him, this bubble of yours is likely to be pricked." + +"Hell, they won't get him. There isn't a fly-cop in Chicago who could +locate Jim in a week, and as for Natalie, believe me she is quite able to +take care of herself." + +"But where is she?" + +"At home, of course, if you must know--'Fairlawn,' isn't that the name of +the place? We left her there on our way to Jackson Park." + +"Then the girl was with you?" + +"Spilled the beans, didn't I? That comes from talking too much. +However, there is no harm done. Sure she left with us, but we dropped +her out at Fairlawn. It was her machine we were riding in. Say, you've +questioned me about enough, so let up. Listen now--you will stay in +this stateroom until we get ready to let you out. Don't try any funny +business either, for if you do, you are going to get hurt. There is a +guard outside in the cabin, and we are not afraid to shoot out here on +the lake. Nobody knows where you are, West; so if you want to live, +keep quiet--that's my advice." + +He started back, one hand on the knob of the door, but West stopped him. + +"Do you mind telling me where we are bound?" he questioned. + +Hogan smiled, but the smile was not altogether a pleasant one. + +"You will have to wait, and find that out for yourself, Captain. My +orders are not to talk." + +"From Hobart?" + +"Sure; Jim is engineering this deal, and whatever he says goes, for he's +the guy who has his hands on the dough--see?" + +He slipped out, closing and locking the door behind him. West, more +thoroughly confused than ever over the situation in which he found +himself, paced the brief length of the narrow stateroom, and then paused +to stare moodily out of the port. His eyes rested on the same wide +expanse of water, no longer brightened by the glow of the sun. A mass of +clouds veiled the sky, while a floating bank of fog obscured the horizon, +limiting the scope of his vision. Everything appeared grey and desolate, +and the restless surge of waves were crested with foam. It was hard to +judge just where the sun was, yet he had an impression the vessel had +veered to the north, and was proceeding straight up the lake, already +well out of sight from either shore. + +He had learned little of the slightest value; merely that Natalie had +been of the party leaving in the automobile the night before. She, +undoubtedly, had been the one who had dropped the note. Then, in spite of +all they said about her, in spite of what she had told him, she was +actually a prisoner, desperately begging for assistance to escape. As to +the other things Hogan had told him, the probability was they were mostly +lies. West did not believe the girl had returned to 'Fairlawn,' the story +did not sound natural. If she had written that note, these fellows would +never trust her alone, where she could communicate with friends. They +might venture to send her in to talk with him, knowing her every word was +overheard, but surely they would never be reckless enough to leave her +free to act as she pleased. That was unthinkable. Besides why should they +have taken this yacht, and sailed it out secretly in the night unless she +was hidden away aboard? The only conceivable object would be to thus keep +her safely beyond sight and hearing. And that would be a reason why +Hobart's wife should also be on board--to look after the girl. The longer +he thought it all over, the more thoroughly was he convinced they were +both prisoners on the same vessel. Yet what could he do? There was no +answer forthcoming; no possibility of breaking forth from that room was +apparent; he was unarmed, helpless. If he did succeed in breaking through +the door, he would only encounter an armed guard, and pit himself against +five or six men, criminals probably, who would count his death a small +matter compared to their own safety. He sank down, with head in his +hands, totally unnerved--it was his fate to attempt nothing; only to wait +on fortune. + +Mark brought in food, merely opening the door slightly, and sliding the +tray in on the floor. No words were exchanged, nor was the tray removed +until just at twilight, when the fellow appeared again on a similar +mission. It became dark, but no light was furnished. Outside the clouds +had thickened, and a heavy swell was tossing the vessel about rather +roughly. Seemingly the engine was merely endeavouring to maintain +head-way, with no port in immediate prospect; they were steering +aimlessly into the promise of a stormy night. No sound reached him from +the cabin, and finally, worn out mentally and physically, West flung +himself on the lower bunk, and lay there motionless, staring up into the +intense darkness. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +THE SINKING YACHT + + +Lying there motionless, yet wide awake, his senses alert, every slightest +sound and movement made clearer the situation. He could feel the laboured +efforts of the vessel, the slap of waves against the side, the rush of +water astern. Occasionally the echo of a voice reached him from the deck +above, and once footsteps were audible almost over his head. The engine +strokes were regular, but slow, the vibrations shaking the boat in its +sturdy battling against the forces of the sea. The _Seminole_ rolled +heavily, yet there was nothing at all alarming in her actions, and West +felt no premonition of illness, or fear as to the sea-worthiness of the +little craft. Whoever was handling her was evidently a seaman, quite +capable of conquering a storm of this magnitude. No noise came to him +from the cabin, yet he had no thought it could be deserted. Hogan would +certainly retain a guard there, and probably others--with no duties of +seamanship weighing on them--would seek refuge there from the wind-swept +deck above. No doubt the fellows had a skipper, as neither Hogan, nor the +man Mark, bore any resemblance to a lake sailor. Quite possibly the +entire crew were innocent of what was actually transpiring aboard, and +equally indifferent, so long as their wages were satisfactory. Yet it was +even more probable that they had been selected for this special service +because of lack of ordinary scruples; men who would never question so +long as the pay was adequate for the danger involved. It seemed to West +the wind and sea were slowly decreasing in violence; there was less noise +and turmoil. The movement of the vessel began to lull him into +forgetfulness, his vigilance relapsed, his mind drifting in thought. He +endeavoured to arouse himself, to keep awake, but finally fatigue +conquered, and he sank into a deep sleep. He had no knowledge of how long +this slumber lasted, or what suddenly awakened him, so startled at the +moment that he sat up in the berth, staring into the blackness. Was it a +dream, or a reality? Had some one spoken? He could neither see nor hear +anything; the boat seemed to be motionless, not even throbbing now to the +beat of the engine--the silence was uncanny. It seemed to him his own +heart had stopped, so still it was, and he felt a cold perspiration +break out on his flesh. Something was wrong, must be wrong. Where were +they--at anchor in some harbour? or helplessly adrift on the lake? The +sea must have gone down; waves no longer dashed against the side, and +there was no shriek of wind overhead; the yacht rocked gently, as though +the swell of the sea no longer buffeted her; there was no sound of action +on the deck above. Then he heard a voice again, outside, reaching him +this time plainly through the open port. + +"All set, Mapes," it said sharply. "Come on down. You finished the job?" + +"Ay, ay, sir," the answer gruff, but with a tinge of excitement in the +tone. "She's fixed all right. Hold hard, now, mate." + +West, thoroughly aroused, realizing instantly the importance of this +new move, and as quickly suspecting its purpose, leaped to the +port-hole, and, endeavoured to gain a glimpse without. The night was +still intensely black, the sky overcast and starless, the only glimmer +of light the reflecting of foam tipped surges. If land was near it +remained invisible, nor could he even be sure of the close proximity of +a boat. There seemed to be a smudge there at the left, a black, lumping +shadow, shapeless against the background of sea; yet he could not be +sure. Even as he gazed at it doubtfully, the dim object disappeared, +fading away like a mirage. No sound reached him to cause the vision to +seem real--no voice, no creak of oars, no flap of a sail; yet something +told him that mysterious shadow was a boat, a boat filled with men, +creeping away silently into the night, fleeing from the yacht, and +vanishing into the darkness. + +My God, what could such action mean? Why were these fellows deserting the +_Seminole_, leaving him helpless aboard, locked into that stateroom? Was +the yacht disabled? sinking? and had they merely forgotten him in their +own eagerness to escape? Were they in mid-lake? or close to some point of +land? Had every one gone, leaving the vessel totally abandoned, a wreck +buffeted by the surges, doomed to go down, unseen, its final fate +unknown? Unknown! The word rising to his brain was the answer. There was +the crest of the plot. What could be easier, or safer, than this ending? +Who would ever know the truth? Who could ever prove anything, even if +they suspected? And who was there to suspect? + +No one had reason to believe he was aboard the _Seminole_; not even +McAdams. If it was to their interest to get him permanently out of the +way--if Hobart had so decided--what simpler method could be found than +the sinking of the yacht? The very crew might be innocent of the +purpose, dupes of the conspiracy; they might even be unaware of his +presence aboard, and deceived by Hogan into the belief that the vessel +had opened a seam, and must sink shortly, would take to the boat without +suspecting any one was left behind. They could so testify in all honesty +if any question ever arose. The very simplicity of the scheme meant +safety; yet the possibility of such cold blooded murder had never before +occurred to him. Unknown! without a trace left; only a boat crew landing +somewhere on the coast at dawn, and scattering to the four winds. It was +a plot infernal. + +West stopped, his hands clinched, his heart seeming to stop its pulsing. +But if Natalie Coolidge was also prisoner on board, what of her? Wasn't +that the very thing most probable? Of course it was; how foolish he had +been. These men, recklessly criminal, as they were, would never sacrifice +the yacht, and risk their own lives, merely to put him out of the way. He +was not important enough for that; he was but an incident. It was an +accident which had made him a prisoner. While this was--must be--a +carefully arranged plan. The girl then must be the real victim; his own +plight arose merely because he chanced to be there, and the villains dare +not leave him alive to tell the story. + +The certainty of this acted like an electric shock. He had not felt +seriously alarmed before as to his own fate. He had only been conscious +of a deep anger, a mad determination to make Hogan pay. If the _Seminole_ +was sinking, and beyond doubt this was the intention of those deserters, +it was going down slowly, so slowly there would be ample time for escape. +He was not asleep, but wide awake, and far from paralyzed by the danger. +He was not the sort to give up while there was any hope left. Surely the +guard in the cabin would have departed with the others, leaving him free +to act. He could smash his way out through that door, and find something +on deck to construct a raft from. This was Lake Michigan, not the ocean, +and not many hours would pass before he was picked up. Vessels were +constantly passing, and daylight would bring rescue. + +But now the task became difficult. He must find the girl, and serve her. +To his surprise, his heart beat rapidly in contemplation of the task. +Surely she must welcome his coming to her assistance now. She would be +alone, free to reveal the truth of all this strange mix-up of affairs; +perhaps the old trust, the old confidence between them would be renewed. +At least in the midst of such peril, alone on the sinking yacht, facing +possible death together, he would again discover the real Natalie +Coolidge. The hope instantly inspired action. Every minute might mean +life or death; the work must be accomplished now, if ever. The _Seminole_ +was evidently deserted, the boat containing the fleeing crew already far +enough away to be beyond sound of any noise he might make. He already +felt the wallowing of the deck beneath his feet, a dead, dull feeling, +evidence enough that the deserted vessel was slowly, but surely going +down. The condition could not last long; faster and faster the water +would seep into her hold, until suddenly, without warning, perhaps, she +must go down like a stone. + +All these thoughts flashed across his mind almost in an instant; there +was no hesitancy, no waste of time. His eager eyes searched the narrow +confines of the stateroom for some possible weapon with which to assail +the door. The stout stool alone seemed available. Swinging this over his +shoulder, hampered by the narrowness of space, he struck again and again, +with all his strength, the upper panel splintering beneath the third +crashing blow. He could see nothing, but felt with his fingers along the +jagged ends of the shattered wood, and redoubled his efforts, striking +wildly, but with effect, until suddenly the lock gave, and the door burst +open. He was in the main cabin, which was unlit and deserted. Standing +there confused in the grim silence, unable for the instant to determine +how to advance in the dark, he could hear the rapid beating of his own +heart, and the continuous lap of waves outside. God! how sodden the deck +felt under foot; what a sickening swell hurled the craft, and such +stillness! If the girl was aboard why did she not cry out? Surely she +must have heard that noise, the rain of blows, the crunch of wood. + +He stood, crouched, listening intently for something to guide him in the +right direction. And yet, even if Natalie had heard, what reason would +the girl have to suspect the truth? Likely enough she was sound asleep, +completely worn out, and with no knowledge of what had occurred on board. +It was only the sound of that voice speaking loudly in the boat alongside +which had aroused him. She had no reason to suspect desertion, no +occasion to believe any other prisoner than herself was aboard. The noise +of crashing wood, even if it awoke her, would have no special meaning to +her mind, only perhaps to add to her terror. He must act alone; there was +no other way. If he could only have a light of some kind, and not be +compelled to grope blindly about in that intense darkness. + +He stepped cautiously forward, with hands outstretched, swaying to the +sudden roll of the sinking hulk underneath his feet. He struck a piece of +furniture, a bench bolted to the deck, and then his groping fingers came +in sudden contact with the cabin wall, which he followed, circling to the +left. In this manner he succeeded in finally locating the door opening +out on to the deck, and had grasped the knob, when a deep moan from the +black void behind caused him to become suddenly erect, his heart beating +like a trip-hammer. No other sound followed, no repetition, and yet there +could be no mistaking what he had heard. It was a groan, a human groan, +emanating from a spot but a few feet away. He took a single step in that +direction; then hesitated, fearful of some trap; in the silence as he +stood there poised, he could faintly distinguish the sound of some one +breathing unnaturally. + +"Who is there? Who moaned just now?" he asked, struggling to control +his voice. + +"I did," the answer was a mere husky whisper out of the darkness. +"Masters, the watchman; but who are you? I don't know your voice." + +"It makes no difference; are you hurt? Where are you? How can I +get a light?" + +"Yes, sir; I'm about done for I guess; you're over by the door, ain't +you? There's a hangin' lantern just up above, if you've got a match with +you. Say, that looks good; I didn't hardly know but I was dead, it was so +black. But I never saw you before; how did you get aboard here?" + +The flame of the match caught the wick, and flared up, throwing a dim +illumination over the cabin interior. West drew down the glass, before he +ventured to glance in the direction of the voice. A man lay facing him, +curled up on the deck, his hair, matted with blood, hanging over eyes +that were burning with fever. He made no attempt to rise, apparently was +unable to move, and a dark, bloody stain covered the deck. West sprang +forward, and lifted the head on his arm. + +"You are hurt--badly?" he exclaimed. "What can I do for you?" + +"Nuthin', I reckon," still in that same strained whisper. "I'm done +for; no doubt of it. That guy got me. You ain't one o' that murderin' +gang, are you?" + +"No; I was a prisoner on board; I came here to help a girl." + +"A girl! Miss Coolidge you mean, sir?" + +"Yes, Natalie Coolidge; do you know anything about her? Where she is?" + +"Sure, I know; the damn whelps left her here; that was their dirty game, +sir. 'Twas because I tried to unlock her door that Hogan slugged me. The +boat's goin' down, ain't it? I know'd it was; I heard the skunks talk +about what they was goin' to do, an' then I tried to get her out, sir." + +"You were the watchman?" + +"Yes, sir; down in the lagoon at Jackson Park. These fellows come off to +the yacht about midnight, an' they had Miss Coolidge with 'em. That's +what fooled me, sir, an' I let 'em get aboard, thinkin' it must be all +right. After that I couldn't do nuthin'--there was six to one, an' that +'Red' Hogan had a gun in his mitt. They hustled me down into the cabin. I +didn't even know she was a prisoner until they locked her into a +stateroom; then I got wise, but it was too late." + +"And she is there yet, Masters? What room is it?" + +"The last one to the right, sir. Don't you mind about me; I'm done for, +but maybe there's a chance for you two." + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +FREE OF THE YACHT + + +The man was evidently dying. West, from his experience on European +battle-fields, felt assured the end was indeed close at hand. His face +under the flitting rays of the swinging light was ghastly and drawn, his +words were barely audible, and painfully uttered, while, as the arm +supporting his head was withdrawn, he sank back heavily into his former +position, and his eyes instantly closed. Only as West bent lower could he +determine the surety of his breathing still. + +There was nothing to be done for Masters; no occasion for lingering there +helplessly. The yacht was sinking under their feet, going down slowly, +but surely, and the end could not be far off. The very movement of the +vessel sickened him, brought to him a sensation of fear. Moreover he knew +the truth now, and saw clearly his duty. The watchman had not told much, +but it was sufficient to verify all his former suspicions. These fellows +he fought were desperate criminals, playing for high stakes, conspiring +to even commit murder to achieve their object--which could be nothing +less than gaining possession of the Coolidge fortune. To that end they +had coolly planned the sinking of the _Seminole_ in mid-lake, with the +helpless girl locked securely in her cabin. It was a cowardly, diabolical +crime, and yet, no doubt, they had figured it as the safest method of +completely disposing of her. And, but for the accident of his presence on +board, and his having been awakened by that incautious voice, the foul +plot would probably have proven successful. They had already got safely +away, leaving her behind a prisoner, her only possible rescuer this +watchman wounded unto death. The yacht was sinking in the dark, going +steadily down in those night shrouded waters. Who would ever know? The +main body of the crew, perhaps, never even dreamed of her presence +aboard. There was no evidence, nothing to convict the men really guilty. +Here was the scheme of a master-mind in crime. West weaved his way across +the rolling deck of the cabin to the stateroom door Masters had pointed +out as the one sheltering the girl. There was no sound from within, nor +would the knob yield to his grasp. It was locked, the key gone. There +was no time to wait and hunt for that missing piece of metal doubtless +safely hidden in Hogan's pocket, or else thrown overboard; he must break +a way in; but first he must explain to her, so as to spare her the sudden +fright of such an assault. He rapped sharply on the panel, pausing an +instant for a response. None came, and he knocked again more roughly. + +"Miss Coolidge: you are there, are you not?" + +"Yes; who is that?" almost a cry of delight in the voice. "You--you have +a voice I know." + +"I am Matthew West; but do not ask questions now. The yacht is going +down, and I must break this door in to release you. Stand back while I +smash the boards. You hear and understand?" + +"Yes--yes: I am safely away; have no fear." + +The light revealed the weapon he required just beyond where Masters +lay--a heavy hatchet, still stained with blood, probably the very +instrument with which the watchman had been brutally struck down. That +made no difference now, and West snatched it up, and began to splinter +the wood with well directed blows. He worked madly, feverishly, unable to +judge there in the cabin whether he had a minute, or an hour, in which to +effect their rescue. All he knew was that every second was worth saving, +and with this impulse driving him, swung the sharp blade with all his +strength and skill, gouging out great splinters of wood, and finally +forcing the lock to yield. He sprang eagerly through the opening, the +hatchet still in his grasp, and faced her. + +She stood there looking straight at him, seemingly unable even yet to +wholly realize the marvellous truth of his presence. The light from the +swinging lamp in the big cabin beyond, streamed in through the shattered +doorway, and revealed her face, pale, but unafraid, the eyes wide-open, +the lips parted. An instant both paused, and then she cried out in +sudden relief. + +"Oh, it is really you, Captain West. I know now. What has happened? How +did you come to be here?" + +"Not now," he insisted. "Don't ask me now. Just come as quick as you can. +Do you not realize the boat is sinking, going down under our very feet? +For all I know it may take the plunge before we can reach the deck. There +is no time for anything but action. Quick; let me take your hand." + +She obeyed without a word, and he pressed her before him out through the +door into the more brightly lighted cabin. Her eyes opened in horror at +the sight of Masters, and she drew back trembling against West's arm. + +"Who--who is that? A dead man?" + +"I fear so; wait just a second until I learn; if he still lives we cannot +leave him here." + +West bent over the motionless figure; the flesh was no longer warm; and +he could detect no breath. Satisfied, he regained his feet. + +"It is all over with," he said gravely. "He is beyond human aid." + +"But--but, please, who is he?" she insisted, clinging to his arm. "Surely +I have seen the man before; what has happened?" + +"He was the watchman on the yacht--Masters he said his name was," West +explained impatiently. "He was still alive when I first came, and told me +where you were confined. He tried to serve you when the others left, and +was struck down by Hogan." + +"The others left! Is the boat deserted? Are we here all alone?" + +"Yes; the villains left us both locked into state-rooms to die. They +deserted the yacht, expecting it to sink, and take us both down with it. +The craft is near foundering now, and our only hope is to obtain the +open deck at once. Do not question any more, but do just as I say. You +trust me, do you not?" + +"Trust you! of course I do." + +"Then let's talk afterwards. All I can think about now is how best to +save your life." + +She permitted him to draw her through the door on to the black, deserted +deck. For the first moment, as they hesitated there, little could be +perceived other than vague shadows. The sky was overcast, but the wind +light, yet with sufficient swell to the water to cause the yacht to +wallow uncomfortably. West, bracing himself to the sudden plunging, +managed to reach the rail. He drew back, sick at heart at the sight of +the waves lapping the side almost on a level with the sloping deck on +which he stood. The sight brought home to him as never before the drear +deadly peril in which they were. It was already a matter of minutes; any +second indeed that labouring hulk might take the fatal plunge. The +knowledge brought back all his soldier instincts of command, his rough +insistence. He would find some means of rescue; he must! He was back +instantly, grasping her arm. + +"Quick," he cried. "You knew this yacht; what small boats did she carry?" + +"Only the one; the other was so warped it had been taken ashore." + +"Only one! Those fellows put off in that. There was nothing else to save +life aboard?" + +"There are life-belts here; see, hung to the front of the cabin. Was that +what you meant?" + +"Yes, and no." He snatched one from the hook, and hastily strapped it +about her. "These may help, but we shall need more. Was there no +life-raft? My God! there must surely be something of that kind." + +"Yes, there is; I remember now. It is forward there, near the engine-room +hatch. Percival Coolidge explained to me how it worked once. But--but I +don't believe just the two of us could ever launch it over the rail." + +"We will, because we must--it is our only hope. I'll take the other belt; +now come. We haven't an instant to waste--the water is even now almost +level with the deck; any second we may be awash, and go down like a +stone. Hold on tight to me." + +The deck was already sloping to port in a dangerous degree, and West was +compelled to cling to the rail, as they slowly made passage forward +through the darkness. Their eyes had by then adapted themselves to the +night, so as to distinguish larger objects, and, as there was no litter +to encounter, as in the case of a ship wrecked by storm, the two +progressed safely as far as the engine-hatch. Neither spoke, but West +still clasped the hatchet, peering anxiously about for some signs of the +life-raft. He located it at last, securely fastened to the side of the +deck house, and, leaving the girl to hold herself upright as best she +could, began to hack it loose. It was quite an affair, cork-lined, and +evidently capable of sustaining considerable weight when once launched in +the water, but cumbersome and hard to handle on deck, more particularly +because of its awkward form. + +Fortunately it hung to the port side with a rather steep slant to the +rail, which was not high. The waters of the lake, threatening to engulf +them with every sodden roll of the vessel, were almost within reach of an +outstretched hand, while occasionally a wave danced along the bulwark, +and scattered its spray over the deck. West, working with feverish +impatience, realized suddenly that his companion had deserted the place +where he had left her and was also tugging and slashing at the lashings +of the raft. These finally yielded to their blind attack. Without the +exchange of a word the two grasped the sides and shoved the thing hard +down against the port rail. + +"Wait now," he cried exultantly. "Stay behind, and brace yourself against +the hatch-cover. I'll get underneath and lift. Once on the rail the two +of us must shove it free overboard. Here, keep a grip on this line, so +the raft can't float away." + +She understood instantly, and, with a single swift glance at her dimly +revealed figure, West straightened up, bearing the full weight on his +shoulders, every muscle strained to the utmost, as he thus pressed it +over inch by inch across the wooden barrier. Twice he stopped, +breathless, trembling in every limb, seemingly unable to exert another +pound of strength. Perspiration dripped from his face, his teeth clinched +in desperate determination. At the second pause, she was beside him, +pressing her way in also beneath the sagging burden. He felt the pressure +of her body. + +"No, no; I can make it alone," he panted indignantly. + +"Not so well as we both can, working together. I am strong, Captain West. +Try it again now, and see." + +Suddenly the great unwieldy mass moved, slid forward, poised itself an +instant on the rounded rail. The yacht rolled sharply to port, flinging +both on to the deck together, but sending the raft crunching overboard, +clear of the side. West grasped her, and dragged her to her feet. His one +thought was that they were actually going down, but, even as he held her +in his arms, ready to leap out into the black water, the shuddering +vessel, with a last despairing effort, partially righted herself, and +staggered on. + +"The rope," he questioned. "Did you lose grip on the rope?" + +"No, it is here. I can feel the jerk of the raft." + +"Thank God for that; let's pull it closer to the side. We can't wait to +take anything with us; even if I knew where provision and blankets were, +I could never find them in this darkness. I would not dare leave you to +search; another dip like that must be the very last. Here, let me hold +you up; can you see the raft?" + +"Yes; I'm sure it is just below; why I could almost touch it." + +"Can you jump to it from the rail? It is either that, or the water. Are +you afraid to try?" + +"Afraid--no. Hold me; yes; that way, but--but what are you going to do?" + +"Follow, of course; but I shall take to the water. There are no oars +here. Nothing to use as a substitute for them. I'll have to swim, and +push that old ark as far away as possible. When the yacht goes down, the +suction is liable to swamp us, if we are close in." + +"But I can swim, Captain West." + +"I am glad to know that; but now you do just as I say. There is no +necessity for both of us getting wet through. Are you ready?" + +She poised herself, held steady by the grip of his hands, her eyes on the +dark outline of the floating raft. There was no hesitancy, no +questioning. + +"Say when," he said sharply. + +"Now." + +She sprang outward, and came down, sinking to her knees, and clinging +fast, as the raft bobbed up and down under her sudden weight, dipping +until the water rolled completely over it. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +THE COMING OF DAWN + + +West leaned far out, and stared off at the faint blotch made by the raft +against the water surface. He could perceive little except a bare, +shapeless outline. + +"Did you make it? Are you all right?" + +"Yes, I'm safe enough; but wet just the same; the thing bobbed under." + +"It will hold us up though, don't you think?" + +"Why, of course, it will float; it is supposed to support four people. It +rides dry enough now. But--but, Captain West, I want you to come." + +"I'm coming; I'll throw my shoes and coat over there to you first. To be +rid of them will make swimming easier. Watch out now--good! Now draw in +the line; we may need it. Got it all right? Very well; here goes." + +He made the plunge, coming up to the surface close beside the raft, the +edge of which he quickly grasped with his hands. The girl remained +motionless, barely perceptible through the gloom, but with anxious eyes +marking his every movement. The frail support beneath her rose and fell +on the swell of the waters, occasionally dipping beneath the surface. +Beyond, a grim, black, threatening shadow, wallowed the wreck. West swam +steadily, urging the unwieldy raft away from the menacing side of the +vessel, driven by the necessity of escaping the inevitable suction when +she went down. It was a hard, slow push, the square sides of the raft +offering every obstacle to progress. Yet the waves and wind helped +somewhat, the raft being lighter than the water-sogged _Seminole_, so +that gradually the distance widened, until there extended a considerable +waste of water between the two. Exhausted by his exertion, and breathing +hard, West glanced back over his shoulder at the dimmer shadow of the +yacht, now barely revealed against the clouded sky. The bulk of it seemed +scarcely visible in any defined form above the level of the sea--the end +must be almost at hand. + +Satisfied that they were far enough away for safety, he clambered +cautiously upon the platform, the girl as carefully making room for him +on the few dry planks. The raft tossed dizzily under the strain, but he +made it at last, the water draining from his soaked clothing, his flesh +shivering at the touch of the cool night air. He sat up, his limbs +braced to hold him erect, glancing aside at her, wondering at her +continued silence. Even in the darkness she must have known his eyes were +searching her face. + +"You are cold," she said, doubtfully. "Here is your coat, and I have kept +it dry--no, really, I do not need it; I am quite warmly dressed." + +He threw the garment over his wet shoulders, gratefully, and the two sat +there very close together, staring back at the labouring _Seminole_. +There was nothing to say, nothing to do; for the moment at least they +were safe, and perhaps morning would bring rescue. Suddenly West +straightened up, aroused by a new interest--surely that last wave went +entirely over the yacht's rail; he could see the white gleam of spray as +it broke; and, yes, there was another! Unconsciously his hand reached +out and clasped that of his companion. She made no effort to draw away, +and they sat there in awed silence, watching this weird tragedy of the +sea, with bodies braced to meet the bobbing of the unwieldy support +beneath them. + +At first the labouring vessel seemed to hold its own, fighting +desperately to remain afloat, a mere shadow above the surface. Then, +almost without warning, the end came. She went down bow first, the stern +lifting until West could discern the dark outlines of the screw, and then +dropped like a stone, vanishing almost instantly. One moment she was +there; the next had disappeared, the black waters closing over. There was +but little evidence of what occurred; only a deeper swell, tossing the +raft giddily about for a moment, and causing West to tighten his grip on +the girl's hand. She gave utterance to a half-smothered cry, and her body +dropped forward as though she would hide the scene from her eyes. + +"That is the last of the _Seminole_" West said, feeling the necessity of +strengthening her. "But it is nothing to frighten you. We are safe +enough here." + +"Oh, it is not that," she explained hastily, lifting her head, and facing +him. "I--I do not think I am frightened. I have not broken down before, +but--but I thought then of that dead man lying there all alone in the +dark cabin. It seemed so terrible when the yacht sank. Please do not find +fault with me." + +"That was not why I spoke. But you must keep your nerve; we may be afloat +for hours yet before we are picked up." + +"You are sure we will be?" + +"The probability is altogether in our favour," he insisted, as much to +encourage himself as her. "This is Lake Michigan in summer time, and +boats are plying everywhere. We shall surely be sighted by something when +daylight returns. There is no sign of a storm brewing, and all we need do +now is hold on." + +She was silent a moment, with head again bent forward. + +"What do you suppose became of the men who deserted the yacht?" she +asked, her voice natural and quiet. + +"Ashore, perhaps, by this time." + +"Then we cannot be far away from land?" + +"I have no means of knowing. Probably not, if they relied upon oars." + +"Why should they? There was a mast and sails stowed in the boat; they +were always kept there for an emergency." She lifted her eyes, and stared +about into the gloom. "Do you suppose, Captain West, they could have +remained nearby to make sure the yacht sank?" + +"No, I do not," he said firmly. "I thought of that once myself; but it is +not at all probable. They were too certain they had done a good job, and +too eager to get away safely. Hogan never deemed it possible for us to +get away alive. As it was, the escape was almost a miracle." + +"A miracle!" softly. "Perhaps so, yet I know who accomplished it. I owe +my life to you, Captain West," she paused doubtfully, and then went on +impulsively. "Won't you explain to me now what it all means? How you came +to be here? and--and why those men sought in this way to kill me?" + +"You do not know?" + +"Only in the vaguest way; is it my fortune? I have been held prisoner; +lied to, and yet nothing has been made clear. This man who went down in +the cabin--you said he died trying to save me?" + +"Yes; he endeavoured to release you from the stateroom, and was caught by +Hogan. In the struggle he received a death wound." + +"I heard them fight. This Hogan then was the leader?" + +"Of those on board--yes. But he is only the tool of others. This devilish +conspiracy has been plotted for a long while. There must be a dozen +involved in it, one way or another, but, as near as I can learn, the +chief devil, the brains of the gang, is the fellow named Hobart. Have you +known him--long?" + +She hesitated, and West glanced aside wonderingly. Would she venture to +deny her knowledge of the man? + +"No," she said at last doubtfully, "not unless his other name was Jim. +There was a fellow they called Jim. He was my jailer after that woman +locked me into a room." + +"A woman? The same one who was with you on the yacht?" + +"Yes." + +"Where was this?" + +"Why surely you must know. In that cottage where we stopped with Percival +Coolidge." + +He drew a deep breath, more thoroughly puzzled than ever. What could be +her purpose to make so bold an effort to deceive? Did she imagine for a +moment that he could be made to believe she had been continuously held +prisoner since that Sunday morning? It was preposterous. Why, he had seen +her again and again with his own eyes; had talked with her, and so had +Sexton. His heart sank, but he determined to go on, and learn how far she +would carry this strange tale. Perhaps out of the welter he could discern +some truth. + +"The fellow's name is Jim, all right, Jim Hobart. I've looked him up in +the police records. He is a confidence man, with one charge of assault +with attempt to kill against him. Nothing lately, however; it seems he +disappeared about ten years ago, and has just drifted back. The woman +passes as his wife. You knew nothing of all this?" + +"No; I only saw the man twice; he was very rough then, and swore when I +questioned him." + +"And the woman?" + +"She would not talk either; only once she told me that Percival +Coolidge had committed suicide. That made me wonder, for I believed +he had something to do with my being held there. What did he say when +he returned to the auto without me? What explanation did he make for +my absence?" + +"Explanation! He needed none; you came out of the cottage with him." + +"I? What do you mean?" + +"But I saw you with my own eyes, talked with you, and all three of us +drove back to 'Fairlawn' together. My God, Miss Natalie, have you lost +your mind? Do you even deny dismissing me from your service?" + +She gazed at him through the gloom, utterly unable to comprehend. + +"I must have, if what you say is true," she admitted, "For I certainly +have no such recollection." + +"You remember nothing of going back with us to 'Fairlawn'?" + +"Absolutely nothing." + +"Or of a conversation had with me later in the library?" + +"No, Captain West." + +He stared off into the black night, his lips pressed closely together. +Could this be false? Could she sit there calmly, in the midst of such +peril as surrounded them, and still deliberately endeavour to deceive? + +"And you knew nothing of the death of Percival Coolidge, except what was +told you by that woman?" + +"She brought me a newspaper which I read; that was all I knew." + +"And in that house on Wray Street where I met you again last night. I +suppose you were not there either?" + +"Wray Street? I do not know; I was at some place with a saloon on the +ground floor. I could not tell you where it was." + +"That is where it was--Wray Street, on the northwest side, a thieves' +rendezvous. And you talked with me there; tried to get me to quit +following you. You surely haven't forgotten that already?" + +She dropped her face wearily into her hands, and her voice +sounded listless. + +"I--I almost believe you are the crazy one, Captain West. I swear I have +never knowingly met, or spoken to you since we drove to that cottage on +Sunday. I cannot believe what you say." + +"Yet it is true, every word true"; he asserted stoutly. "Why else should +I be here? You returned with us to 'Fairlawn,' and we chatted together +pleasantly all the way. Later you seemed to change, and discharged me +rather rudely. Then Percival Coolidge was killed--shot down by an +assassin, not a suicide. I know because I found the body. You were at the +inquest, and testified. I saw you with my own eyes. The next day you +discharged Sexton, and later he learned, and reported to me, that some +one called you on the phone from Wray Street, and wanted you to come over +there at once." + +"Was that why you went there?" + +"Yes; I felt something was wrong; the killing of Percival Coolidge had +aroused my suspicions; and I sought to learn who those people were you +had visited in the cottage. They were gone, and only for this telephone +call, I should have lost the trail entirely. I found you there, and this +fellow Hobart with you." + +"But, Captain West, I never saw you; I never left the room in the third +story where I was locked in, except when they took me away in a machine +to the yacht." + +"You dropped a note in the alley, enclosed in a silver knife?" + +"Yes, I did. I dared not hope it would be found, but I took the chance. +Did you find it?" + +"Sexton did, and that was what brought me here." + +"But it is all so strange," she exclaimed despairingly. "How could I have +done all these things, been in all these places, and yet know nothing +about it? Could I have been drugged? or influenced in some way by those +people? I have read there is such a power--where one person can make +another obey absolutely, with no knowledge of what he is doing; what do +they call that?" + +"Hypnotism. I have seen it cut some odd capers; but I do not believe you +were either hypnotized or drugged. Good God; why did I not think of this +solution before? I must have been blind; that was not you; I can recall a +hundred little things now to convince me." + +"What is it you mean?" + +"Another woman played your part; a woman most wonderfully like you, even +to the voice. There is no other solution of the problem. And that reveals +the plan of robbery--to get you out of the way, and then have her take +the fortune. Who would ever suspect such a fraud?" + +She sat silent, motionless, apparently unable at once to grasp all the +meaning in his words. It seemed unbelievable, and her gaze was straight +out across the black waters, one hand clinging firmly to offset the +rocking of the frail raft. Then she pointed away into the distance. + +"See, there is light over there," she exclaimed eagerly. "That must be +the east, and it is morning." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +LOVE BREAKS SILENCE + + +West was so immersed in his own thoughts, awakened by these new +developments, he apparently did not hear what the girl said. She reached +out and pressed his arm. + +"Do you not see, Captain West? Daylight is coming; it is much lighter +over there." + +He lifted his head, and looked where she pointed. A dull, grey light +topped the waters, and the sky above held a faint tinge of crimson. The +wan glow accented the loneliness, and for the moment left him depressed. +Was there ever a more sombre scene than was presented by that waste of +tumbling waves, stretching to the horizon, arched over by a clouded sky? +It grew clearer, more distinct, yet remained the same dead expanse of +restless water, on which they tossed helplessly and alone. Nothing broke +the grimness of it, not even a bird in the air, or a leaping fish; +complete desolation met the eye in every direction, a threatening, +menacing dreariness amid which each approaching swell seemed about to +sweep them to destruction. The wind increased slightly with the dawn, +buffeting the frail raft to which they clung desperately, and showering +them with spray, while, as the light became stronger, they searched +vainly for any sign of ship, or shadow of land. Nothing appeared within +range of vision to break the drear monotony of grey sea and sky. Neither +felt any desire to speak; they could only stare out silently across the +desolation of waters, feeling their helplessness and peril. This then was +the morning they had struggled forward to--this green, grey monster, +whose dripping jaws showered wet foam over them; this terrible +nothingness which promised death. + +Her head sank forward into her hands, as though she would thus shut out +the whole weird picture, and West, aroused by the slight movement, +glanced quickly aside. The sight of her distress gave him instant mastery +over his own depression. His hand sought her own, where it gripped for +support, and closed over it warmly. + +"It cannot be as bad as it seems," he insisted, trying to say the words +cheerfully. "I know these waters, and they are never long deserted. Luck +will change surely; perhaps within the hour we shall be picked up, and +can laugh at all this experience." + +She lifted her head, and their eyes met frankly. + +"I am not afraid," she protested. "Not physically, at least. Truly I have +not felt fear since you joined me, Captain West. Before that I was alone, +and was frightened because I could not in the least understand why I was +being held a prisoner, or what my fate was to be. Now all I must meet is +the danger of the sea, with you to share the peril with me." + +"But you are very tired?" + +"Perhaps so, yet I have not thought about that. There are other things; +you do not believe in me." + +"Why say that?" he asked, in astonishment. "There is no question of the +kind between us now." + +"Truly, is there not? There has been, however; I know from the way you +spoke. What was it you believed of me--that--that I was part of this +conspiracy?" + +"I do not know what I believed, if I actually believed anything, Miss +Natalie," he explained rather lamely. "I cannot make the situation +altogether clear even to myself. You see I kept meeting and talking with +you--or I thought I did--and yet never found you to be the same. I was +all at sea, unable to get anything straight. One moment I was convinced +of your innocence; the next something occurred to make you appear guilty, +a co-conspirator with Jim Hobart. Under the circumstances, you cannot +condemn me justly." + +"Condemn! I do not. How could I? You must have kept faith in me +nevertheless, or you would never be here now. That is what seems +marvellous to me--that you actually cared enough to believe." + +"I realize now that I have," he said gravely. "Through it all I have kept +a very large measure of faith in you." + +"Why should that faith have survived?" she questioned persistently, as +though doubt would not wholly leave her mind, "we had no time to really +know each other; only a few hours at the most, and even then you must +have deemed me a strange girl to ask of you what I did. Surely there was +never a madder story told than the one I told you, and I couldn't have +proven an item of it." + +"Yet it has shown itself true," he interrupted. + +"You actually believe then that there is another woman--a counterfeit +of myself?" + +"It is the only theory feasible; you have convinced me of that." + +"Yet this does not answer my question altogether. You are convinced now, +perhaps, because you accept my word, but how have you kept faith in me +when you believed just as strongly that it was actually I who met and +talked with you? I who was playing in the game with the man Hobart?" + +"Will you believe what I say?" + +"Implicitly." + +"Perhaps it sounds like a fairy tale," he spoke frankly, his eyes seeking +her own, all their surroundings forgotten in the eagerness of the moment, +"but I will tell you the exact truth. Before this misunderstanding +occurred you had confided in me, trusted me, although I was a stranger +and I believed absolutely in your story. I had that basis to rest on. In +addition to this, those few hours I passed at 'Fairlawn' served to +confirm my faith. I got hold of various odds and ends of evidence which +convinced me that something was wrong--that you were actually being +conspired against. I even gained a suspicion that Percival Coolidge was +the actual leader of the conspiracy." + +"Percival Coolidge! but why? What could he gain by such a crime?" + +"I have not found the answer yet, but my conviction remains +strong--stronger, indeed, than ever since our talk last night. You could +never have been made prisoner in that cottage without his connivance; he +must have lured you there for that particular purpose, so that this other +girl could take your place without danger of discovery. It was a neat +trick, so well done as to even deceive me. The reason for Percival's +participation is only a guess, but my theory is the fellow had so juggled +your fortune, and the time for final accounting was so near, he had to +take a desperate chance in order to save himself." + +"You mean the opportunity came, and he could not resist?" + +"Perhaps so, and perhaps it was his own deliberate plan. That remains to +be discovered. My own theory is that when Hobart learned what Percival +Coolidge proposed doing, his own criminal tendencies told him that here +was some easy money. The girl was undoubtedly wholly under his control; +some denizen of the underworld probably. She had already played her part +sufficiently well to convince Hobart of success. Why then, shouldn't he +have this money instead of Percival? There was no reason except that +Percival was in the way. That was why he was killed." + +"By Hobart?" + +"He may not have fired the shot, but I have no doubt he inspired it; and +the job was so expertly done the coroner called it suicide. The way was +open; you were a prisoner, and the false Natalie Coolidge safely +installed as mistress of 'Fairlawn.' No one apparently suspected +anything wrong." + +"And," she questioned breathlessly, "the man meant to murder me also?" + +"Not at that time in my judgment," West answered thoughtfully. "Such an +additional crime was not a part of the original plan. There was no +apparent necessity. Your estate was about to be settled finally, and +given over to your control in accordance with the terms of your father's +will. Hobart must have known all this from Percival Coolidge, and exactly +what steps must be taken to secure it. Once the money, and other +property, were delivered to the fake Natalie, the cashing in and get away +would be easy; even the identity of the thieves would be concealed. +Killing you was not at all necessary to the success of their scheme." + +"But they did try to kill me." + +"Yes, later, by the sinking of the yacht. Probably I am largely +responsible for that." + +"You?" + +"Yes; the persistency with which I stuck to the trail. They became +frightened. My appearance in Wray Street must have been quite a shock, +and when I succeeded in escaping from their trap there, Hobart very +evidently lost his head completely. He did not dare risk my ever finding +you. The knowledge that I was free, perhaps in communication with the +police, led to your night trip to the _Seminole_, and the secret sinking +of the yacht. He had gone too far by then to hesitate at another murder." + +She waited breathlessly for him to go on, her eyes on the tumbling waste +of water. He remained quiet, motionless, and she turned toward him +expectantly. + +"I--I think I understand now," she admitted, "how all this occurred; but +why--why were you so persistent? There--there must have been a reason +more impelling than a vague suspicion?" + +"There was--the most compelling impulse in the world." + +"You mean faith in me?" + +"Even more than that; love for you. Natalie, listen; what I have to say +may sound strange, cruel even under such conditions as now surround us, +but you force me to say them. I love you, have loved you all the time, +without fully realizing exactly what it meant. There have been times when +I have doubted you, when I could not wholly escape the evidence that you +were also concerned personally in this fraud. I have endeavoured to +withdraw from the case, to forget, and blot everything from memory. But +something stronger than will prevented; I could not desert you; could not +believe you were wilfully wrong. You understand what I mean." + +"Yes," the words barely reaching him. "It was the other girl; she +undermined your faith." + +"That is the truth; yet how could it be, do you suppose? My very love +should have enabled me to detect the difference. I can see now, thinking +back, where the fraud was even apparent--in mood, temper, action--and yet +at the time these made no such impression. Even Sexton never questioned +her identity; in face, figure, dress the resemblance was absolutely +perfect. Good heavens, but she is an actress!" + +She touched his arm with her hand, and under the slight pressure he +looked aside at her. + +"You know now," she said softly, "and I know. All this is passed and gone +between us. We are here alone, the sport of the waves, and I have no +reason to be other than frank. I believe in you, Matthew West; in your +honesty and manhood. You say you love me?" + +"With all my heart and soul; it seems to me now I have always loved +you--you came to me, the lady of my dreams." + +Her eyes were wet with unshed tears, yet she smiled back into his face, +her voice trembling as she answered. + +"And I," she said slowly, "have had no thought but of you since our +morning in the garden together. How far away that seems." + +"You mean you love me?" + +"Yes; I love you; there is no word stronger, but I would speak it--is +that not enough?" + +He held her in his arms, in spite of the trembling raft, tossed by the +swell of the sea, and crushed her against him in the ardent strain of +passion. An instant she held her head back, her eyes gazing straight into +his; then, with sigh of content, yielded, and their lips met, and clung. + +The very silence aroused them, startled both into a swift realization of +that dreary waste in which they floated helplessly alone, a drifting chip +on the face of the waters. Her eyes swept the crest of the waves, and she +withdrew herself partially from his arms. + +"Why, we must be crazed to dream of happiness here," she exclaimed. "Was +there ever before so strange a confession of love? I am trying to be +brave--but--but that is too much; that waste of green water, with the +grey sky overhead. There is no ending to it--just death mocking us in +every wave. Oh, Matthew, can this be all? Only this little moment, and +then--the end?" + +He held her hands tightly, his heart throbbing, but his courage and +hope high. + +"No, dear," he whispered eagerly. "Don't think that for a moment. We have +passed through too much to dream of such an ending now. There will be +ships--there must be. Look! what is that, yonder against the sky-line? It +is, sweet-heart; it is the smoke of a steamer." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT + + +They watched with sinking hearts, West rising to his knees, and shading +his eyes with his hand, as that thin spiral of smoke crept along the +horizon, and finally disappeared into the north. The raft rode so low in +the water that no glimpse of the distant steamer could be perceived, and, +when the last faint vestige of smoke vanished, neither said a word, but +sat there silent, with clasped hands. The bitterness of disappointment +wore away slowly, and as the uneventful hours left them in the same +helpless condition, they fell again into fitful conversation, merely to +thus bolster up courage, and lead their minds to other thoughts. It was +maddening to sit there motionless and stare off across the desolate +water, seeing nothing but those white-crested surges sweeping constantly +toward them, and to feel the continuous leap and drop of the frail raft, +which alone kept them afloat. + +The hours went by monotonously, with scarcely an occurrence to break the +dreariness or bring a ray of hope. The clouds obscured the sky, yet +occasionally through some narrow rift, came a glimpse of the sun, as it +rose to the zenith, and then began sinking into the west. The air was +soft, the breeze dying down, and the height of the waves decreasing; the +raft floated more easily, and it no longer became necessary for them to +cling tightly to the supports to prevent being flung overboard. But there +came out of the void no promise of rescue; the sea remained desolate and +untraversed, and finally a mist hung over the water, narrowing the +horizon. During the day they saw smoke but always far to the east, and +quickly disappearing. Once West felt assured his eyes caught the glimmer +of a white sail to the southward, but it was too far away for him to be +sure. At best, it was but a momentary vision, fading almost instantly +against the grey curtain of sky. He had scarcely attempted to point it +out to Natalie when it completely vanished. + +Their effort to talk to each other ceased gradually; there was so little +they could say in the presence of the growing peril surrounding them. +They had become the helpless sport of the waves, unable to act, think or +plan, surrounded by horror, and aimlessly drifting toward the gloom of +another night. Wearied beyond all power of resistance, the girl sank +lower and lower until she finally lay outstretched in utter abandonment. +West thrust his coat beneath her head, securely binding her to the raft +by the rope's end, and sat beside her dejectedly, staring forth into the +surrounding smother. She did not speak, and finally her eyes closed. +Undoubtedly she slept, but he made every effort to remain awake and on +watch, rubbing his heavy eyes, and struggling madly to overcome the +drowsiness which assailed him. How long he won, he will never know; the +sun was in the west, a red ball of fire showing dimly through the cloud, +and all about the same dancing expanse of sea, drear, and dead. The raft +rose and fell, rose and fell, so monotonously as to lull his +consciousness imperceptibly; his head drooped forward, and with fingers +still automatically gripped for support, he fell sound asleep also. + +The raft drifted aimlessly on, the waves lapping its sides, and tossing +it about as though in wanton play. The currents and the wind held it in +their relentless grip, and bore it steadily forward, surging along the +grey surface of the sea. The girl lay quiet, her face upturned, +unconscious now of her dread surroundings; and the man swayed above her, +his head bent upon his breast, both sleeping the sleep of sheer +exhaustion. Out of the dim mist shrouding the eastern sky the vague +outline of a distant steamer revealed itself for a moment, the smoke from +its stacks adding to the gathering gloom. It was but a vision fading +swiftly away into silence. No throb of the engines awoke the unconscious +sleepers; no eye on the speeding deck saw the low-lying raft, or its +occupants. The vessel vanished as suddenly as it had appeared, leaving +nothing but a trackless waste of sea. The two slept on. + +It was the startled cry of Natalie that roused West, and brought his +drooping head, upright. She was sitting up, still held safely by the coil +of rope, and pointing excitedly behind him. + +"Oh, see there! Look where I point--isn't that land?" + +The raft rocked as he swung his body hastily about, and gazed intently in +the direction indicated. Land! of course it was land; land already so +close at hand, his eyes could trace its conformation--the narrow strip of +sand beach, the sharp bluff beyond, the fringe of trees crowning the +summit. He rubbed his eyes, scarcely able to credit his sight, half +believing it a mirage. Yet the view remained unchanged; it was land, a +bit of the west shore, a short promontory running out into the lake +toward which the raft, impelled by some hidden current, was steadily +drifting. His arm clapped the girl in sudden ecstasy. + +"Yes, it's land, thank God!" he exclaimed thoughtfully. "We are floating +ashore, Natalie--saved in spite of ourselves. Why, we could not have been +so far out in the lake after all. That must be why all those vessels +passed to the east of us. I ought to have thought of that before; those +villains would never have deserted the yacht in mid-lake, and taken to +the boat. They must have known they could make shore easily." + +Her glance searched the face of the bluff, which with each moment was +becoming more distinctly visible. + +"You don't suppose they landed here, do you?" + +"Not very likely; even if they did they are not here now. They would have +made it before daylight this morning. All the time we have been drifting +out there they had to get away in. There is no danger that Hogan is +anywhere along this shore now." + +"You think he and--and those others have all gone?" + +"Yes; why should they hang around here? The last idea in their heads +would be the possibility of our ever drifting in alive. Hogan has gone +back to Chicago to make a report to Hobart, and the rest have scattered +like a covey of partridges. Not one of them has a thought but that we +went down in the _Seminole_. Now they'll pull off their graft, and pull +it quick." + +"And what will you do?" + +"Get safely ashore first. It will be dark in less than an hour; but we +are too far out yet to venture swimming. We shall have to hang tight to +the raft a while yet, and drift; the current is carrying us all right. Do +you see any sign of life over there--houses, or smoke?" + +"No; I have been looking; the whole shore-line appears utterly deserted. +Have you any idea where we can be?" + +"Not the slightest; only this is certainly the west shore; there is no +such abandoned spot anywhere between Chicago and Milwaukee, and we must +be much farther north. They had plenty of time to put the yacht quite a +ways up shore before they sank her." + +"Hogan must have known where he was." + +"Unquestionably; it was all planned out; he knew exactly where he +intended to land, and how long it would take them to reach there after +they left the yacht." + +"Perhaps," she suggested hesitatingly, "the gang had some rendezvous up +here in these north-woods, a place where they could hide." + +West shook his head negatively. + +"No, I don't think that; they may know the country, and how best to get +away quickly. But those fellows are city thieves--Hobart and Hogan +anyway--and would feel far safer back in their haunts in Chicago. There +is no place like a big city to hide in, and besides, even if they have +got the money already,--which I doubt--there has been no chance to divide +it, and 'Red' would never let Hobart get away without paying him his +share. They are not loitering around here, Natalie, waiting for ghosts to +appear; they are back in town hours ago." + +"But what can we do?" + +"Get ashore first, of course, and discover the quickest way to return to +the city. None of this shore is deserted, and we'll find houses back +behind that fringe of woods. I figure we have a big advantage. We know +their real game now, and they are so sure we are both dead, they'll +operate in the open--walk right into a trap. By this time McAdams must +have discovered some clue as to the whereabouts of Hobart. With him under +arrest, and our story told, some of these fellows will confess, and it +will all be over with." + +"But suppose they have already succeeded in their purpose?" + +"That can hardly be possible, Natalie. There hasn't been time yet. +Certain legal forms must be complied with. You could only draw a +limited amount." + +"Until I reached a certain age; after which there was no restriction. I +attained that age yesterday." + +"And they are aware of it, no doubt. Yet there must be some legal +authorization necessary which may cause delay. The sooner we reach +Chicago, the better. It is twilight already--the sun has gone down behind +the bluff, but it will require an hour yet for this raft to drift into +shallow water. You swim, you told me?" + +"Yes, very well indeed." + +"Shall we risk it then together? It is not far to the end of the +point yonder." + +She looked where he pointed and smiled, glancing back into his +questioning eyes. + +"Why, that involves no danger at all. I will do anything to get off this +raft. But if we are going to have light we must start at once." + +The two slipped silently over the edge of the dipping raft, and struck +out for the nearest point of land, West loitering slightly behind, afraid +lest she might be hampered, and perhaps dragged down by her water-soaked +clothes. A few strokes reassured him as to this, as she struck out +vigorously, her every motion exhibiting trained skill. She glanced back +at him, and smiled at his precaution; then faced resolutely toward the +distant shore, swimming easily. He followed closely, timing his strokes +to her own, confident, yet watchful still, while behind them, now but a +dim speck in the grey sea, wallowed the deserted raft. + +The distance was greater than it had seemed, the twilight deceiving their +eyes, while their clothing had a tendency to retard progress. Weakened by +lack of food, and buffetted by cross currents, both were decidedly +exhausted by the time their lowering feet finally touched bottom. Natalie +staggered, faint and dizzy from the exertion, but West grasped her in his +arms before she could fall, and carried her across the sand beach to the +foot of the cliff. She laughed as he laid her gently down in the soft +sand, putting up her arms to him like a child, and drawing his face down +until their lips met. + +"Oh," she exclaimed breathlessly, "That was glorious, but I hardly had +enough strength left to make it. It--it was an awfully long way." + +"There are currents off shore," he explained. "That was what made the +swimming so difficult. You are all right now." + +"Yes; at least I think so," she sat up. "Why, it is almost dark already. +I cannot see the old raft at all. I--I wish it would come ashore; it gave +you to me, Matt." + +"And you are not sorry, even now, safe here on shore?" + +"Sorry! Why I am the happiest girl in all the world this minute. I can +hardly think about that money at all, or those scoundrels trying to rob +me. I am here with you, and you love me--what more can I ask? Is that +silly, dear?" + +He laughed, and kissed her, neither giving a thought to their dripping +garments, or a regret for the hardships they had passed through. They +were there alone, safe, together--all else for the moment mattered not. + +"Yes, I love you, Natalie, dear," he answered. "So it is not silly at +all. But we must seek shelter and food. Are you strong enough now to +climb the bluff? See, there is a ravine leading up yonder, where the +footing is easier." + +She nodded her readiness to try, too happy for words, and hand in hand +they toiled their way upward through the gloom. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +THE HOUSE IN THE BLUFFS + + +The cleft in the bluff was both narrow and steep, but it gave them +passage. At the upper end Natalie's reserve strength suddenly deserted +her, and she sank down on the grass, labouring for breath, feeling unable +to advance a step farther. The days and nights of excitement, coupled +with lack of food and sleep, had left her physically weakened; now +suddenly, even her will and courage both gave away. + +"No, it is nothing," she explained in a whisper. "I am just completely +tired out, I guess. You go on, Matt, and find some place of shelter. +Leave me to lie here; I'll not move, and you can find me easily. All I +want now is to rest a few moments. Afraid! no I'll not be afraid. Why, +what is there to fear? this is a civilized country, isn't it? I'll +just sit where I am now until you come back--only--only don't go very +far away." + +She held out her hand, and endeavoured to smile. + +"Desert me! Of course you are not, dear. I am bidding you go. I shall +not mind being left here alone. I am so tired." + +They were at the summit of the bluff, looking out over the lake, now a +mere darker blot. They could hear the dash of waves below them along the +edge of sand. But in the opposite direction rose a somewhat higher ridge +on which trees grew, completely excluding the view beyond. Between the +branches the distant sky still retained a purple tinge from the sinking +sun, leaving the impression that it was much lighter up there. West felt +the importance of gaining a view inland before the closing down of night +obscured everything, and therefore reluctantly left her alone there while +he made his way to the top of the ridge. Once there he could look across +the promontory of land, down into a little cove on the opposite side. It +was well sheltered, and already wrapped in gloomy shadows, yet his eyes +detected the outline of a boat of some size drawn up on the sandy beach. +Beyond the dim certainty of what it was he could perceive nothing with +which to identify the craft, and deeming it some fishing boat, gave its +presence there no further heed. + +Glancing back to assure himself that Natalie was still safe where he had +left her, he picked his way swiftly forward through the thick fringe of +forest trees, until he came to the western edge of the wood, and could +view the country beyond in the last spectral glow of the dying day. It +was a wild, broken country thus revealed to his gaze, a land of ridges +and ravines, rugged and picturesque, but exhibiting no evidence of roads, +or inhabitants. Its very roughness of outline, and its sterile soil, +explained the barrenness and desolation--a no-man's land, impossible of +cultivation, it remained neglected and unused. At first he was sure of +this, his heart sinking at the deserted landscape. They must plunge +blindly forward in the dark over that rough, trackless country, seeking +some possible shelter beyond. Weakened and exhausted as they both were +the task seemed almost an impossible one. Then his eyes caught a thin +spiral of smoke rising from out a narrow valley almost directly beneath +where he stood, the depths of which were totally concealed from sight. As +he stared at this, uncertain of its reality, a single spark of light +winked out at him through the darkness. There was certainly a habitation +of some kind hidden away down there--a fisherman's hut likely--but it +would at least afford temporary shelter for the night; and there must be +a road or path of some kind leading from it to the nearest village. If +he could only leave Natalie there in safe hands, in the security of a +home, however humble, food would give him strength to push on alone. The +one thought in his mind now was to telegraph McAdams, so as to circumvent +the plans of those rascals in Chicago. This must be done, and it must be +done at the earliest moment possible. Perhaps the fisherman might possess +a horse, or would carry the necessary message into town himself. West +turned and hastened back through the woods, clambering down the slope of +the ridge in darkness to the spot where he had left the girl. For the +moment he could not distinguish her presence in the gloom, and, fearing +he might have gone astray, called her name aloud. + +"Yes," she answered. "I am here; to your right. I am, standing up. Have +you discovered anything?" + +"There is a house of some kind over yonder in a hollow just beyond the +ridge--more than likely a fisherman's hut, as there is a boat of some +kind beached in the cove the other side of this promontory. We will have +to stumble along through the dark. Do you think you can make it?" + +"Of course, I can," and she placed her hand confidingly in his. "I am all +right now; really I am; I guess all I needed was to get my breath. Do we +go up here--the way you came back?" + +"I presume so; I know no other passage, and found no path." + +"But," she urged. "If there is a boat on the beach, isn't it likely there +would be a trail from there to this fisherman's hut?" + +"Why, of course; it was stupid of me not to think of this before. The +sooner we start, the quicker we shall arrive. I want most of all to +telegraph McAdams." + +"Who?" + +"McAdams, the detective I told you about in Chicago, an old army buddy of +mine. He'll have Hobart located by this time, no doubt, and will put the +screws on him when he learns what has happened to us." + +"I see," she agreed softly, "and if he does know the whole story we need +not be so crazy to get back. He will attend to everything." + +"Yes; we can wait up here until morning at least; you need a night's +rest, and no wonder." + +He grasped her arm, helping her to clamber up the steep bank, suddenly +becoming aware that the sleeve felt dry. + +"Why, Natalie, your clothes seem to have all dried off already; mine are +soaked through," he exclaimed in surprise. "What necromancy is this?" + +She laughed, a faint tinge of mockery in the sound. + +"No mystery whatever; only a difference in texture, I imagine. This light +stuff dries quickly, exposed to the air. Did you think you had hold of +the wrong girl?" + +The tone of her voice stung slightly, causing him to make a sober answer. + +"That would, of course, be improbable, but I have been so completely +deceived, even by daylight, that I dare not affirm that it would prove +impossible. Your counterfeit is certainly a wizard." + +"She must be. But as she is miles away from here, you might let the +suspicion rest. Is this where we go down?" + +She led the way, the action awakening no question in his mind. If he +thought at all about her thus assuming the initiative, the suspicion was +dismissed with the idea that probably her eyes were more keen to discover +the best path. In this she was certainly successful, and he contented +himself by following her closely. The night was already dark, the way +irregular and confusing. She was but a dim shadow, advancing +confidently, and now and then in their descent, he reached out and +touched her to make sure of her presence. This action seemed to irritate +for she turned once, and objected shortly. + +"Oh, don't do that, please; it startles me. My nerves are all on edge." + +"Of course they are, dear," he confessed apologetically. "I should have +known better. It was so dark I almost thought you had slipped away. The +boat I told you about must be close at hand." + +"The boat; oh, yes, but it can be of no use to us now. Feel here with +your feet; I am sure this must be a path that I am in, and it can lead +nowhere except to that house you saw." + +"Can you follow it?" + +"I think so; it seems to go straight up through the ravine; see, you can +trace the bluff against the sky, and there is the opening just ahead of +us. You may take my arm again now," she added graciously, "and then there +will be no danger of either getting lost." + +He gladly did as she suggested, yet, strangely enough, continued to feel +dissatisfied. Vaguely he felt that in some almost imperceptible manner +she had changed her mood. He could not base his thoughts on a single +word, or action, yet he felt the difference--this was not the Natalie of +the raft. She was too irritable; too sharp of speech. But then, no doubt, +she was tired, worn out, her nerves broken; indeed he found it hard to +control himself, and he must not blame her for exhibiting weakness under +the strain. So he drove the thought from him, clinging close to her arm, +and vaguely wondering how she was able to trace the path so easily. They +seemed to progress through an impenetrable wall of blackness, and yet the +way had been cleared of obstacles, and was reasonably smooth. The slope +upward was quite gradual, and the summit led directly into the mouth of a +small valley. By this time even West could recognize that they were +proceeding along a well used path, and he was not surprised when she +announced the presence of the house before them, pointing out the dim +shadow through the gloom. Otherwise his eyes might have failed to +distinguish the outlines, but under her guidance he could make out enough +of its general form to assure him that they were approaching no mere +fisherman's shack. + +"That is no hut," he exclaimed in surprise. "It looks more like a +mansion." + +"And why not?" pleasantly enough. "I have always heard these bluffs were +filled with summer homes. Unfortunately this one appears to be deserted. +But we must go on, and try to discover some inhabitant." + +There was no light to guide them, yet the path was easily followed, +through what apparently was an orchard, then through the gate of a rustic +fence to a broad carriage drive, circling past the front door. All was +silence, desolation; no window exhibited a gleam of radiance, nor did a +sound greet them from any direction. They paused an instant before the +front door, uncertain how to proceed. + +"But there must be some one about here," West insisted. "For this was +the house I saw from the ridge, and there was a light burning then in +one of the windows, and there was a wisp of smoke rising from a chimney. +Perhaps the shutters are all closed, or, early as it is, the people may +have retired." + +She stepped boldly forward, and placed her hand on the knob of the door. + +"Why," she whispered, excitedly. "It is unlocked; see, I can open it. +Perhaps something is wrong here. What shall we do?" + +"Knock first; then if there is no response, we can feel our way about +inside. My matches are all wet." + +She rapped sharply on the wood; waited for some reply, and then called +out. Not a sound reached them from within. The situation was strange, +nerve-racking, and she shrank back as though frightened before the black +silence confronting her. West, his teeth clinched, stepped in through the +open door, determined to learn the secret of that mysterious interior. +With hands outstretched he felt his way forward, by sense of touch alone +assuring himself that he traversed a hall, carpeted, his extended arms +barely reaching from wall to wall. He encountered no furniture, and must +have advanced some two yards, before his groping disclosed the presence +of a closed door on the left. He had located the knob, when the outer +door suddenly closed, as though blown shut by a draught of wind, and, at +the same instant, his eyes were blinded by a dazzling outburst of light. + +This came with such startling, unexpected brilliancy that West staggered +back as though struck. For the instant he was positively blind; then he +dimly perceived a man standing before him--a man who, little by little, +became more clearly defined, recognizable, suddenly exhibiting the +features of Jim Hobart, sarcastically grinning into his face. + +"You are evidently a cat of nine lives, West," he said sneeringly. "But +this ought to be the last of them." + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +HOBART FORGETS AND TALKS + + +For a moment West lost all control over himself. He was too completely +dazed for either words or action; could only stare into that mocking +countenance confronting him, endeavouring to sense what had really +occurred. He was undoubtedly trapped again, but how had the trick been +accomplished? What devilish freak of ill luck had thus thrown them once +more into the merciless hands of this ruffian? How could it have happened +so perfectly? The boat on the sand in the cove yonder; perhaps that was +the key to the situation. Those fellows who had left the _Seminole_ to +sink behind them, knew where they were when they deserted the yacht; they +landed at the nearest point along shore, where they had a rendezvous +already arranged for. Then what? The helpless raft had naturally drifted +in the same direction, blown by the steady east wind, until gripped by +the land current, and thus finally driven into this opening on the +coast. His mind had grasped this view, this explanation, before he even +ventured to turn his head, and glance at the girl. She stood leaning back +against the closed door as though on guard, her uncovered hair ruffled, a +scornful, defiant look in her eyes, the smile on her lips revealing the +gleam of white teeth. In spite of a wonderful resemblance, a mysterious +counterfeit in both features and expression, West knew now this was not +Natalie Coolidge. Her dress, the way in which her hair was done, the +sneering curl of her red mouth, were alike instantly convincing. He had +permitted himself to be tricked again by the jade; the smart of the wound +angered him beyond control. + +"You are not Miss Coolidge," he insisted hotly. "Then who are you?" + +She laughed, evidently enjoying the scene, confident of her own +cleverness. + +"Oh, so even Captain West has at last penetrated the disguise. No, I am +not the lady you mention, if you must know." + +"Then who are you?" + +She glanced toward Hobart, as though questioning, and the man answered +the look gruffly. + +"Tell him if you want to, Del," he said, with an oath. "It will never do +the guy any good. He's played his last hand in this game; he'll never +get away from me again. Spit it out." + +"All right," with a mocking curtsey. "I've got an idea I'd like to tell +him; it is too good a joke to keep, and this fellow has certainly been an +easy mark. You never did catch on to me until I got into the wrong +clothes, did you, old dear? Lord, but I could have had you making love to +me, if I'd only have said the word--out there on the hills in the dark, +hey! I sure wanted to laugh; but that tender tone of yours told me what +you were up to; what sent you trailing us around the country--you was +plumb nutty after this Natalie Coolidge. That's the straight goods, isn't +it, Mister Captain West?" + +"I care very much for Miss Coolidge, if that is what you mean." + +"Sure you do; and you've put up a game fight for her too, my boy. +I'd like it in you if I wasn't on the other side. But you see we +can't be easy on you just because of that. Sentiment and romance is +one thing, while business is another. You and I don't belong in the +same worlds--see? You can't rightly blame me because I was born +different, can you?" + +"Perhaps not; what would you make me believe?" + +"I thought I'd put it that way so you'd understand, that's all. There's +a difference in people, ain't there. I'm just as good looking as this +Natalie Coolidge, ain't I? Sure I am; you can't even tell us apart when +we are dressed up alike. I could come in here, and have you make love to +me inside of twenty minutes. But we ain't a bit alike for all that. She's +a lady, and I'm a crook--that's the difference. She's been brought up +with all the money she wants, while I've had to hustle for every penny +since I was a kid. Now life don't ever look the same to any two people +like that." + +"No," West admitted, beginning to realize her defence. "It is hardly +probable it would." + +"That's why I'm in this case," she went on, apparently unheeding his +interruption. "I was brought up a thief, and I don't know anything else. +I never did care much, but in this Coolidge matter, I've got just as much +right to all that kale as she has--so naturally I'm going after it." + +"As much right, you say? Why, who are you?" + +She stood up straight, and looked at him, her eyes burning. + +"Me!" scornfully, "Why I am Delia Hobart--'Diamond Del,' they call me." + +"Yes, but that is not what you mean; that gives you no such right as you +claim. You are Hobart's daughter then?" + +"I didn't say so, Mister Captain West. I told you my moniker, that's all. +Jim here brought me up, but he ain't no father to me, and his wife ain't +my mother. It took me a while to find that out, but I got the thing +straight at last. I saw then just what those two were driving at; first I +didn't take no particular interest in the scheme; then I got to thinking +until finally I hated that soft, downy thing; damn her, she'd robbed me, +and I had a right to my share even if I had to steal it." + +"What soft, downy thing?" + +"Natalie Coolidge! Bah, I went out to see her once. Jim took me and +we hid in the garden; and when I came back I was raving mad. Lord, +why should that little idiot have everything while half the time I +was hungry?" + +"You mean you envied her?" + +"Envied, hell! Didn't I have a right? Wasn't she my twin sister? Didn't +she have it all, and I nothing?" + +He gasped for breath at this sudden revelation. Then he laughed, +convinced it could not be possible. + +"Who told you that?" + +"Why, don't you believe it? Has she never said a word about it to you?" + +"Certainly not. I am sure she possesses no knowledge of ever having had a +sister. Moreover, I do not believe it is true. If you had proof of such +relationship, why didn't you go to her, and openly claim your share?" + +"Go to her! me? Do you hear that Jim? Isn't he the cute little fixer? +Why, of course, she knew it; there was nothing doing on the divide. It's +all straight enough, only we couldn't quite prove it by law; anyhow that +is what they told me--so we got at it from another direction." + +She seemed so convinced, so earnest in her statement that West in +perplexity turned to glance at Hobart. + +"Do you make this claim also?" he asked. + +"What claim?" + +"That this girl is a twin sister to Natalie Coolidge? Why, it is +preposterous." + +"Is it? Damned if I think so. Now look here, West; I don't know just what +the Coolidge girl has been told; maybe she never even heard she had a +twin sister. If they ever told her that she had, then they must have told +her also that the sister died in infancy. Anyhow, that's how it stands on +the records. There were just two people who knew different--do you get +me? One of them is dead, but one of them is still alive." + +"Which one is dead?" + +"Percival Coolidge; he knew too much and got gay; he planned to cop the +whole boodle. The fact is he started the whole scheme, soon as he learned +who Del was, and planned it all out. He was up against it hard just then +for money; he'd lost all his own, and couldn't get hold of Natalie's +because the old family lawyer watched things so close." + +"But if this girl was really entitled to a part of it, why not claim +it by law?" + +"We talked about that, but the chance didn't look good. Everything showed +the second child died; hospital records, doctor's certificate; there +wasn't a link in the chain we could break. Percival wouldn't go on the +stand, and there wasn't much he could swear to if he did." + +"But who was the other witness--the living one?" + +"The nurse; she made the exchange of the dead baby for the living one. It +was easily done as the child was really sick." + +"But for what object--revenge?" + +"She was poor, and yielded to temptation. Percival Coolidge paid her to +make the exchange. I have never been able to learn what his original +purpose was, but she thinks he believed the stolen child was a boy, and +that later, through him, the Coolidge money might be controlled. However +the woman lost her nerve, and disappeared with the infant. She brought it +up as her own in the west, where she married again. I am her second +husband, and that is how I learned the truth." + +"The woman on the yacht?" + +"Yes, you saw her. The child was brought up in our life; I figured on +this coup for years, and finally when all was ready, we came back east +again. I had a plan, but I wasn't quite sure it would work until I could +see the two girls together. After that it was like taking candy from a +kid. Hell, you are the only one who has even piped off the game." + +West looked closely at the man, who was thus coolly boasting of his +exploits, and then at the silent girl, whose eyes sullenly gave back +their challenge. What did it all mean? Why were they calmly telling him +these things? Was it merely the egotism of crime, pride of achievement? +or did Hobart hope in some way to thus win his assistance, or at least +his silence? + +"Why do you tell all this to me, Hobart?" he asked shortly. "You do not +expect me to play with you in the game, do you?" + +"You!" the fellow laughed coarsely. "We don't care what you do, you young +fool. Del started this talking, and I let her go on. Then, when she +stopped, I thought you might as well learn the rest of it. The fact is, +West, we're fixed now so whatever you know won't hurt us any. We have as +good as got the swag; and, to make it absolutely safe, we've got both you +and the girl. I'll say this for you, old man, you've sure put up a game +fight. I don't know how the hell you ever got out of that yacht alive, or +ever happened to drift in here. It was nothing but bull luck that gave us +a glimpse of you tossing round on that raft--but after that it was dead +easy. Del here is some actorine." + +"Yes," she broke in, "but I came near falling down this time. I forgot +they had been in the water, and my dress was dry as a bone--say, I +thought he'd tripped me sure." + +"You say you've got the swag?" + +"All but in our hands; nobody can get it away from us. The court order +was issued today; the entire estate placed, in accordance with the terms +of the will, in the possession of Natalie Coolidge. Once the proper +receipt is signed, all monies can be checked out by her. That about +settles it, doesn't it? Tomorrow Del and I will go down to the city, and +turn the trick, and after that there is nothing left but the get-away." + +It was a cold blooded proposition, but neither face exhibited any +regret; both were intoxicated by success; untroubled by any scruples +of conscience. West felt the utter uselessness of an attempt to appeal +to either. + +"Where is Natalie Coolidge?" he asked, his own determination hardening. +"What do you propose doing with her?" + +Hobart's teeth exhibited themselves in a sardonic grin. + +"That is our business, but you can bet she'll not interfere." + +"And a similar answer, I presume, will apply also to my case?" + +"It will. Don't make the mistake, West, of believing we are damn fools. I +don't know just why I've blowed all this to you, but it ain't going to +help you any, you can be sure of that. In fact your knowing how the thing +was worked is liable to make things a blame sight harder in your case. We +won't do no more talking; so go on in through that door." + +The fellow's demeanour had entirely changed; he was no longer pretending +to geniality, and his words were almost brutal. Apparently, all at once, +it had dawned sharply upon him that they had made a mistake--had boasted +far too freely. Any slip now, after what had been said, would wreck the +ship. West faced him watchfully, fully aware of the desperate situation, +instinctively feeling that this might be his last chance. + +"In there, you say?" indicating the closed door. + +"Yes; move!" + +He did; with one swift leap forward, the whole impetus of his body behind +the blow, West drove his fist straight into the face confronting him. The +fellow reeled, clutched feebly at the smooth wall for support, dropped +helplessly forward, and fell headlong, with face hidden in outstretched +arms. The assailant sprang back, and turned, in a mad determination to +crash his way out through the locked door behind, but as suddenly stopped +startled by the vision of a levelled revolver pointed at his head. + +"Not a move," the girl said icily. "Take one step, and I'll kill you." + +Hobart lifted his head groggily, and pushed himself half-way up on +his knees. + +"Don't shoot unless he makes you, Del," he ordered grimly. "We don't want +that kind of row here." He dragged himself painfully to the side door, +and pressed it open. + +"Hey you!" he cried. "Come on out here. Now then, rough-house this guy!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +McADAMS BLOWS IN + + +It was a real fight; they all knew that when it was finished. But it was +three to one, with Hobart blocking the only open door, and egging them +on, and the excited girl, backed into a corner out of the way, the +revolver still gripped in her hand, ready for any emergency. The +narrowness of the hall alone afforded West a chance, as the walls +protected him, and compelled direct attack from in front. Yet this +advantage only served to delay the ending. He recognized two of the +fellows--"Red" Hogan and Mark--while the third man was a wiry little +bar-room scrapper, who smashed fiercely in through his guard, and finally +got a grip on his throat which could not be wrenched loose. The others +pounded him unmercifully, driving his head back against the wall. Hogan +smashed him twice, crashing through his weak attempt at defence, and with +the second vicious drive, West went down for the count, lying motionless +on the floor, scarcely conscious that he was still living. + +Yet in a dazed, helpless way, he was aware of what was occurring about +him; he could hear voices, feel the thud of a brutal kick. Some one +dragged him out from the mess, and turned his face up to the light; but +he lay there barely breathing; his eyes tightly closed. + +"It's a knock-out all right," Hogan declared. "That guy is good for an +hour in dream-land. What's the dope?" + +"We got to keep him here, that's all; and there's goin' to be no get-away +this time." + +"How'd he do it before, Jim? did he tell you?" + +"Not a damned word; I was fool enough to do all the talking. But this +fellow is too slick to take any more chances with." + +"Do you want him croaked?" + +"No, I don't--not now. What the hell's the use? It would only make things +harder. We're ready to make our get-away, ain't we? After tomorrow all +hell can't get onto our trail. This guy's life wouldn't help us none, so +far as I can see." + +"Getting squeamish, ain't you?" + +"No, I'm not. I've got as much reason to hate the fellow as you have, +'Red.' He certainly swiped me one. Before we had the swag copped, I was +willing enough to put him out of the running. That was business. You sure +did a fine job then, damn you; now I don't think it is your time to howl. +Listen here, will you? From all I learn, this bird amounts to something; +he ain't just a dago to be bumped off, and nobody care what's become of +him. This guy has got friends. It won't help us any to be hunted after +for murder on top of this other job. If we cop the kale, that's all we're +after. Is that right, Del?" + +The girl seemed to come forward, and face them defiantly. + +"Sure it's right. I never was for the strong arm stuff, Hogan. This is my +graft, anyhow, and not one of you stiffs gets a penny of it unless I +split with you. This fellow isn't going to be slugged--that's flat. It is +only because he's fell in love with the Coolidge girl that he is here, +and once we've skipped out, I don't wish the guy any bad luck." + +"You ought to have caught him yourself, Del," some one said. "The bird +never would have known the difference." + +She laughed, quickly restored to good humour. + +"You're about right there, Dave," she answered. "That was another +mistake; the only chance I ever had of marrying in high social circles. +But hell, I'll be a lady tomorrow, so let's let the poor devil go. Wrap +him up, and lay him away out in the garage. The walls are two foot solid +stone; he'll stay buried there all right." + +Hogan growled in derision, yet it was evident that she and Hobart would +have their way. Some one brought a rope, which was deftly wound about +him, West continuing to feign unconsciousness. He secretly hoped this +condition might result in some carelessness on their part, in either +speech or action. Anyway it would undoubtedly save him from further +brutal treatment. He had no reason to suspect that his ruse was +questioned. The fellows spoke freely while making him secure, but he +gained very little information from their conversation--not a hint as to +where Natalie was confined, or how long it was proposed to hold them +prisoners. Then "Red" and Dave lugged his limp body through several +rooms, out upon a back porch, finally dragging him down the steps and +along a cement drive way, letting him lie there a moment in the dark, +while one of them unlocked a door. The next instant he was carelessly +thrown inside, and the door forced back into place. He could hear Hogan +swear outside, and then the sound of both men's feet on the drive as +they departed. + +With a struggle West managed to sit up, but could scarcely attempt more, +as his arms were bound closely to his sides. The darkness about him was +intense, and, with the disappearance of the two men up the steps, all +outside sounds had ceased. He knew he had been flung into the garage and +was resting there on the hard cement floor. He could neither feel nor see +any machine, nor was there probably the slightest prospect of his getting +out unaided. Those fellows would never have left him there without guard, +had they dreamed any escape was possible. The girl had affirmed the +building was constructed of stone, two feet thick. He stared around at +the impenetrable black wall completely defeated. Undoubtedly they had him +this time. He was weak from hunger, tired nearly to death; bruised and +battered until it seemed as though every muscle in his body throbbed with +pain. Yet his mind was not on these things, only incidentally; his +thought, his anxiety centred altogether on Natalie Coolidge. What had +become of her; where was she now? He had no reason to believe her in any +great personal danger. If this gang, satisfied of success, were disposed +to spare his life, it was hardly probable they would demand her's. Now +both the desire for murder, and the necessity, had passed. The fellows +felt supremely confident the spoils were already theirs, and that all +that was needed now to assure complete success was sufficient time in +which to drop safely out of sight. Murder would hinder, rather than help +this escape. + +But what a blind fool he had been; how strangely he had permitted this +girl to lead him so easily astray. Why really, to his mind now, she +possessed no real resemblance to Natalie; not enough, at least, to +deceive the keen eyes of love. She had the features, the eyes, the hair, +the voice, a certain trick of speech, which, no doubt, she had +cultivated--but there were a thousand things in which she differed. Her +laugh was not the same, nor the expression of her lips; she was like a +counterfeit beside a good coin. It was easy to conceive how others might +be deceived by her tricks of resemblance--servants, ordinary friends, +even the old lawyer in charge of the estate--but it was inexcusable for +him to have thus become a plaything. Yet he had, and now the mistake was +too late to mend. He had left Natalie alone on the cliff, and then +blindly permitted this chit to lead him straight into Hobart's set trap. +Angered beyond control at the memory, West swore, straining fiercely in +the vain endeavour to release his arms. Then, realizing his utter +helplessness, he sank back on the floor, and lay still. + +What was that? He listened, for an instant doubtful if he had really +heard anything. Then he actually heard a sound. He doubted no longer, yet +made no effort to move, even holding his breath in suspense. There was +movement of some kind back there--a cautious movement; seemingly the slow +advance of something across the floor, a dog perhaps. West's heart +throbbed with apprehension; suppose it was a dog, he had no means of +protection from the brute. Cold sweat tingled on his flesh; there was +nothing he could do, no place where he could go. The thing was moving +nearer; yet surely it could not be a dog; no dog would ever creep like +that. He could bear the strain no longer; it was beyond endurance. + +"What's moving back there?" he asked in a hoarse whisper. + +There was a moment of utter silence; then, a man's voice said in low, +cautious tone. + +"The fellow ain't dead, Mac; anyhow he seems able to talk yet." + +"All right, we'll find out what he's got to say--go on along." + +West sat up, his heart bounding with sudden remembrance. + +"My God! McAdams is that you?" + +"You have the name--who's speaking?" + +"Matt West. Good God, but this is like a miracle. I'd played my last +card. Come here, one of you, and cut these strings. I cannot even move, +or stand up. Is it really you, Mac? Yes, yes, I am all right; they +bruised me up a bit, of course, but that is nothing. Now I have a chance +to pay them out. But who are with you? and how did you come to be here?" + +McAdams ran his knife blade through the lashings, feeling for them in the +dark. Neither could see the other, but West realized that another man had +crept up on the opposite side of him, and crouched there silently in the +blackness. + +"Need any help, Mac?" the latter questioned in a whisper. + +"No, I've got him cut loose. This is the lad I told you about, Carlyn. +You go on back, and, as soon as West gets limbered up a bit, and I hear +his story, we join you out there. Then we'll know how the ground lies." + +The fellow crept away unseen, and McAdams gripped West's hand. + +"Say, but this is mighty good luck, old boy," he blurted out. "I was +afraid you'd gone down in that yacht last night." + +"You were! How did you know about it?" + +"Stumbled on to the story, the way most detectives solve their mysteries. +That is, I stumbled on some of it, and the rest I dug out for myself. It +won't take long to explain and perhaps you better understand. They told +me at the office when I got back about the _Seminole_ being tied up at +the Municipal Pier, and that you had gone down there. Well, I made it as +quick as I could, but the yacht was three hundred yards out in the lake +by the time I arrived. There wasn't a damn thing to take after it in, +and, besides, just then, I didn't really know any good police reason for +chasing her. First thing I did was to try and find you, so we could get +our heads together. But you wasn't there, and so I naturally jumped to +the conclusion you must have got aboard someway. Say I combed that pier, +believe me, West, and finally I ran across a kid who put me wise. He saw +you go across the deck, and into the cabin with two other guys. They came +out again, but you didn't. I pumped him until I got a pretty good +description of both those fellows, and I decided one of them must be +'Red' Hogan, about the toughest gun-man in Chicago." + +"It was Hogan." + +"I made sure of that afterwards. Then I got busy. If you was in the hands +of that guy, and his gang, the chances was dead against you. But there +wasn't a darn thing I could do, except to hunt up Hobart, wire every town +along the north shore to keep an eye out for the yacht, and pick up a +thread or two around town. I got a bit at that to wise me up. We found +Hobart hid away in a cheap hotel out on Broadway, and put a trailer on +him. The girl had disappeared; she'd been to a bank, and then to the +Coolidge lawyer and signed some papers; after that we lost all trace of +her for awhile. Your man Sexton, out at 'Fairlawn,' reported that she +hadn't returned there. Then I got desperate and decided I'd blow the +whole thing to the Coolidge lawyer, and get him to take a hand. I was +afraid they were already for the get-a-way--see? I couldn't round 'em up +alone; besides I'm a Chicago police officer, and have to keep more or +less on my own beat." + +"And you told the lawyer?" + +"Everything I knew, and some I guessed at. I thought the old guy would +throw a fit, but he didn't. He came through game after the first shock. +But say, that dame had sold him out all right. He never had an inkling +anything was wrong; no more did the banks. We went over, and talked to +the president of one of them--a smooth guy with white mutton chops--and +the girl had signed up the preliminary papers already, and tomorrow the +whole boodle was going to drop softly into her lap. Say, I felt better +when I learned they hadn't copped the swag yet. But just the same I +needed help." + +"And you got it?" + +"Sure; those two duffers coughed up money in a stream. Called in a +detective agency, and gave me three operatives to work under me. Got the +chief on the wire, and made him give me a free hand. Then I had a cinch." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +A BRIDGE OF LOVE + + +He paused, listening, but all remained quiet without, and he resumed his +story. "There is not much else to it, West. A little after one o'clock +the shadow phoned in from the Union depot that Hobart had just purchased +two tickets for Patacne. We hustled over, but were too late to catch that +train, but learned the girl had accompanied him on the trip. We caught +another rattler two hours later, and got off at Patacne, which is about +three miles west of here. It is not much of a job to gather up gossip in +a small burg, and, inside of ten minutes, I had extracted all I needed +from the station agent. It seems this outfit was the summer sensation out +here. We hoofed it for reasons of our own, and came around by way of the +lake shore, aiming to keep out of sight until after dark. That is how we +discovered that _Seminole_ boat hauled up on the beach, but with no yacht +in sight. One of the fellows with me said Hogan did a boat-sinking job +before and got away with it, and that is how I figured that maybe you +was at the bottom of Lake Michigan--see? Well, we crept up here through +the woods, but nothing happened. Didn't look as if the place had a soul +within a hundred miles of it--no smoke, no light; not a damn sound. We +laid out and waited, not sure what we were up against. Finally we jimmied +open the back door of this garage, just to find out whether those guys +had a car out here, or not. They had, but we no more than located it when +those two fellows came dragging you out of the back door of the house, +and flung you in here like a bag of old linen. We lay still, and let them +go back, but we hadn't any notion whether you was dead or alive--or +whether it was really you; so we crawled up to find out. That's the +story. Now what do you think we better do?" + +West moved his arms in an effort to restore circulation. + +"How many with you?" + +"Four altogether--hard boiled, too--five with you. Is there any fight +left in you, old man?" + +"I'll say there is; I'd certainly like to get in one clip at 'Red' before +the fracas is over." + +"That sounds vicious. Now who is inside?" + +"I saw five, and there may be others. If the crew of the _Seminole_ are +here also, that would make quite a bunch." + +"I don't think they are, Captain. The station agent said several men +bought tickets to Chicago early this afternoon. It is the real gang we've +got cornered. Do you know just who they are?" + +"Those I saw were Hobart, 'Red' Hogan, the girl, a big fellow they called +Mark who was on the yacht--" + +"Mark Sennett; he's Hogan's side-kick, and tough as they make 'em." + +"And a wiry little black-haired devil by the name of Dave." + +"Hell, is he in this too? that must be 'Dago Dave.' That guy would cut +your throat for fifty dollars. Any others?" + +"Those were all I saw. No doubt Hobart's wife is in the house somewhere, +guarding Natalie Coolidge probably." + +"Six altogether, counting the women." + +"Yes, and you better count them, for they will fight like tigers. The +girl held me up at the point of a gun." + +"We've got to get the drop first, that's all. They're yellow, the whole +outfit is yellow. Shootin' in the back is their style. Now, you know the +lay inside the house; what is our best chance?" + +West studied over the situation, his eyes staring into the darkness, and +McAdams waited. + +"Well, Mac," he said finally. "This is a new job for me, but I'd put a +man out in front, and then take the others in through the back door. We'd +have to rush it, of course. I know the front door is locked, and it +couldn't be broken down quickly. I listened when those fellows went back, +and I heard no click, as though they had locked the door behind them. +They don't know anybody has been after them except me, and they believe I +am done for. They feel so safe out here, they are a bit careless. I'll +wager something we can walk straight in on the outfit; how does that +strike you?" + +"As the only feasible plan. Let's crawl out of here." + +The arrangements were quickly perfected; a short, whispered conference +in the dark; then one man crept silently away through the night toward +the front of the house. McAdams added a few more words of instruction to +the others, and, with West slightly in advance, revolvers drawn and +ready, the five stole forward in the direction of the rear porch. The +windows were either heavily curtained, or covered by outside shades, for +no gleam of light was anywhere visible. West mounted the back steps +silently, with McAdams close at his heels. A second later the entire +bunch of officers were grouped before the door, poised breathless, +listening for any sound from within. Nothing broke the impressive +silence, and McAdam's hand closed over the knob, which he turned slowly. +The door opened quietly into a darkened interior. For an instant he bent +forward, peering through the narrow crack, endeavouring to learn what +lay hidden beyond, the others quivering behind him. There was scarcely +the sound of a breath audible. The detective hesitated; such luck, such +carelessness on the part of criminals seemed almost uncanny; he half +suspected some trap. Then he became convinced that this was only the +result of recklessness--the fellows felt so safe in this hidden hole in +the woods as to neglect all precaution. He stepped cautiously inside, +leaving the door ajar for the others to follow. Then they +paused--straight ahead a double swinging door divided the kitchen in +which they were from another room beyond. Through the centre crack shone +a single bar of light, barely visible, and forth through that same +orifice came the sound of a voice speaking. McAdams flung up his hand in +signal, and then crept silently forward. + +It was apparently a quarrel among thieves over the spoils, each fearful +lest the other was double-crossing. Hobart and "Red" Hogan were doing +most of the talking, although occasionally others chimed in, and once +there was a woman's voice added to the debate. Seemingly the whole gang +were present; a strong odour of tobacco smoke stole through the crack in +the door, and both Hobart and Hogan swore angrily. Who was to remain out +there on guard while Hobart and the girl returned to Chicago for the +money was evidently the question, Hogan wishing to accompany them to make +sure of his share. The woman sided with Hobart, the other men apparently +ranged up with "Red," and some very plain talking was indulged in. + +McAdams listened grimly, the light through the crack showing his lips +curled in a smile of appreciation. He lowered his head, and with one eye +at the slight opening gained a glimpse of the lighted room beyond. A +moment, motionless, he stared in on the scene; then straightened up, and, +with revolver in hand, signalled to the others to close in closer. They +stood there for a tense instant, poised and eager; then the doors were +flung crashing back, and they leaped recklessly forward, out of the +darkness into the light. It was a furious fight--sharp, merciless, +uncompromising. The thieves, startled, desperate, were hurled back by the +first rush against the further wall, tables and chairs overturned, the +shrieking woman pushed headlong into one corner, and one of the fellows +downed by the crashing butt of a revolver. But the others rallied, +maddened, desperate, rats caught in a trap, fighting as animals fight. +Hobart fired, catching an assailant in the arm; Hogan snatched up a chair +and struck viciously at West, who leaped straight forward, breaking the +full force of the blow, and driving his own fist into the man's face. It +was all over within a minute's fierce fighting--the surprise turning the +trick. Hobart went down cursing, the gun kicked out of his hand, his arm +broken; Hogan, struggling still, but pinned to the floor by three men, +was given a blow to the chin which left him unconscious, while the other +two threw up their hands and yelled for mercy. McAdams wiped his +streaming face, and looked around. + +It was a shambles, the floor spotted with blood, the table overturned and +broken, a blanket over one of the windows torn down, a smashed chair in +one corner. The detective who had been shot was still lying in front of +the door, "Red" lay motionless, a ghastly cut over his eye, and Hobart, +his arm dangling, sat propped up against the wall, cursing, malevolent, +but helpless. On the other side stood Sennett and "Dago Dave," their +hands high above their heads; each looking into the levelled barrel of a +gun. The woman had got to her knees, still dazed from the blow which had +felled her. The ex-service man smiled grimly, well satisfied. + +"Some surprise party, eh, Jim?" he asked pleasantly. "This rather puts a +crimp in your little game, I would savy, old boy. Going to cop the whole +boodle tomorrow, was you?" + +"Who the hell are you?" + +"Well, if I answer your questions, perhaps you will answer mine. I am +McAdams of the City Hall Station, Chicago, and I know exactly what I am +here after. So the best thing you guys can do, is cough up. Who's that +girl who has been working with you?" + +Hobart glared sullenly, but made no response. + +"You'll not answer?" + +"Oh, go to hell!" + +"All right, old top. She is in this house somewhere, and can't get out. +Somers, look around a bit; try behind those curtains over there." + +The officer stepped forward, but at the same instant the draperies +parted, and two girls stood beside each other in the opening, framed +against the brighter glare of light beyond--two girls, looking so alike, +except for dress and the arrangement of their hair, as to be almost +indistinguishable--Natalie white faced, frightened, gazing with wide-open +eyes on the strange scene before her; the other smiling, and audacious, +her glance full of defiance. It was the voice of the latter which broke +the silence. + +"Am I the one you want, Mr. Bob McAdams?" she asked clearly. "Very well, +I am here." + +McAdams stared at them both, gulping in startled surprise at the vision +confronting him, unable to find words. Then his eyes fixed themselves on +the face of the speaker. + +"What!" he burst forth. "You, Del? Great Scott! your name was Hobart, +wasn't it? Why I never once connected you two together. Is--is this guy +your father?" + +"I don't know about that," she returned indifferently. "It is a matter of +argument I believe. However, Bob, what's the odds now? I am the one +you're after, Mister fly-cop; and here I am." + +She walked forward, almost proudly, her eyes shining, and gazing +fearlessly into his. He stepped back, one hand extended. + +"No, Del, this must be a mistake. I--I can't believe it of you, you--you +are not a crook." + +"Oh, yes I am," she insisted, but with a tremor in the low voice. +"I've never been anything else, Bobby boy--thanks, thanks to that +thing down there." + +Natalie still remained poised uncertainly in the door-way, scarcely +realizing what was occurring before her; she saw suddenly a familiar +face, and held out her hands. + +"Oh, Matt, what is it?" she cried. "Is--is it all over?" + +"Yes, all over, dear; these are police officers." + +"And that--that girl? She looks so much like me. Who is she? do +you know?" + +West clasped her hands tightly, his voice sunk to a whisper. + +"She is your sister, Natalie," he asserted soberly, "Your twin sister." + +Her unbelieving eyes swept to his face. + +"My sister; my twin sister? But I had none." + +"Yes, but you did," he insisted gently. "You never knew it, but Percival +Coolidge did. This was his devilish scheme, plotted years ago when you +were born. Now here is the end of it--the girl is your sister. There is +no doubt of that." + +"No doubt, you say! My sister!" Her head lifted, and there was a flame of +colour in her cheeks. "My sister!" she repeated, as though she would thus +make it seem more true. "Then I will go to her, Matthew West." + +She loosened the clasp of her fingers and walked forward, unseeing her +surroundings, her eyes misted with tears. Straight across the room she +went, her hands outstretched to where the other shrank back from her in +embarrassment--between them still the gulf which love must bridge. + + +THE END + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Case and The Girl, by Randall Parrish + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12357 *** |