eyes. Get Mrs. Griggsby again at the St. Dunstan. I want at least three
women who can give these points exactly. Exactly, understand?"

He did, and I thanked Miss Wallace for her suggestion.

"Now that," I said, "is what I want; a good, practical idea--"

"And it won't be a bit of use in the world to you," she laughed across
the table into my eyes. "Why, Mr. Boyne, you've found out already that
there are too many Edward Claytes, speaking in physical terms, for you
to run one down by description. There are three of him here, within
sight of our table right now--and the place isn't crowded."

I grinned in half grudging agreement, and found nothing to say. It was
Worth who spoke.

"Like to have you go a step further in this, if you would," and when she
shook her head, he went on a bit sharply. "See here, Bobs; you and I
used to be pals, didn't we?" She nodded, her look brightening. "Well
then, here's the biggest game I've been up against since I crawled out
of the trenches and shucked my uniform. I come to you and give you the
high-sign--and you throw me down. You don't want to play with me--is
that it?"

"Oh, Worth! I do. I do want to play with you," she was almost in tears
now. "But you see, I didn't quite understand. I felt as though you were
sort of putting me through my paces."

"Sure not," Worth drove it at her like a turbulent urchin. "I'm having
the time of my young life with this thing, and I want to take you in on
it."

"If--if you fail you lose a lot of money; wasn't that what you said?"
she questioned.

"Oh, yes," he nodded, "Nothing in it if there weren't a gamble."

"And if he wins out, he makes quite a respectable pile," I added.

"What I want of you now," he explained, "is to go with us to Clayte's
room at the St. Dunstan--the room he disappeared from--look it over and
tell us how he got out and where he went."

He made his request light-heartedly; she considered it after the same
fashion; it seemed to me all absurdity.

"To-morrow morning--Sunday," she said. "No office to-morrow," she sipped
the last of her black coffee slowly. "All the rest of the facts there
ever will be about Edward Clayte are in that room--aren't they?" Her
voice was musing; she looked straight ahead of her as she finished
softly, "What time do we go?"

"Early. Does nine o'clock suit you?" Worth didn't even glance at me as
he made this arrangement for us both. "We'd scoot up there now if it
wasn't so late."

"I've