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.
