arry returned
pleasantly. His quick eyes had noted that this was a sitting-room: an
ornate, patterned affair which the great hotels seem to order in hundred
lots. "Where is Miss Cameron?"

"In the next room," nodding at the connecting door. "She is engaged.
Telephoning. A long-distance call. I'm quite sure she is not expecting
you," Miss Grierson went on to explain ponderously and elaborately,
but with politeness, for this young man was handsome and pleasant and
well-bred and might prove to be some one of real importance. "We were
to have had a theater party with supper afterwards; but owing to Miss
Cameron's indisposition we did not go to the theater. But she insisted
on keeping the engagement for the supper, but changing it to here.
Besides herself and myself, there are to be only her uncle, her cousin,
and just one guest. That is why I am so certain, sir, she is not
expecting you."

"But you see," smiled Larry, "I am that one guest."

Miss Grierson shook her carefully coiffured transformation. "I've met
the guest who is coming, and I certainly have not met you."

"Then she must have asked two of us. Anyhow, I'll just speak to her, and
if I'm mistaken and de trop, I'll withdraw." And ere Miss Grierson could
even stir up an intention to intervene further, this well-mannered
young man had smiled his disarming smile and bowed to her and had passed
through the door, closing it behind him.

He halted, the knob in his hand. Maggie was standing sidewise to him,
holding a telephone in her hand, its receiver at her ear. She must have
supposed that it was Miss Grierson who had so quietly entered, for she
did not look around.

"Yes, I'm still waiting," she was saying impatiently. "Can't you ever
get that connection?"

Larry had seen Maggie only in the plain dark suit which she had worn to
her daily business of selling cigarettes at the Ritzmore; and once, on
the night of his return from Sing Sing, in that stage gypsy costume,
which though effective was cheap and impromptu and did not at all lift
her out of the environment of the Duchess's ancient and grimy house.
But Larry was so startled by this changed Maggie that for the moment
he could not have moved from the door even had he so desired. She was
accoutered in the smartest of filmy evening gowns, with the short skirt
which was then the mode, with high-heeled silver slippers, her rounded
arms and shoulders and bosom bare, her abundant black hair piled high in
careful