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.
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