got feelings, you know. You needn't walk on them. I love
you, and I want you. What I want, I usually get. I mean to get you." She
looked up at him with heavy-lidded insolence. "I may fail, but if I do,
it'll be one more notch in my account against Wade. I know now where to
strike him--to hurt."

"You be reasonable, and _you'll_ be happier," she retorted. "May I go?"

"Certainly." He stepped out of her way. "Good night."

CHAPTER XII

DESPERATE MEASURES

If Moran or Helen, early in their conversation, had looked out of the
window of the hotel, during one of those vivid lightning flashes, they
might have seen a woman stealthily approaching the agent's office across
the street. Taking advantage of the deeper shadows and of the darkness
between lightning flashes, she stole to the rear of the building, where
she found an unlatched window, through which she scrambled with the
agility of a boy.

Within, the place was pitch dark, but like one amid familiar
surroundings, she crossed the hall and found the room she sought; the
office room now of Moran, but formerly occupied by Simon Barsdale. She
bent over the big safe, and was twirling the combination knob in her
slim, cold fingers, when she was startled by a noise in the hallway
outside. With a gasp of fright, she stood motionless, listening acutely,
but there was no further sound; reassured, she produced a bit of candle,
which she lighted and placed to one side of the safe, so that the flame
was shaded from the windows. She was in the act of manipulating the
combination again when, her whole body rigid with fear, she stood erect
once more, holding her breath and striving for self-control. There was
no doubt about the noise this time. Some one had entered the adjoining
room.

Hastily snuffing out the candle, she crouched into the darkness of a
corner. She never doubted that the newcomer was Race Moran, or that he
would almost immediately discover her. She tried to summon enough
resolution to bluff things through when the moment of discovery should
come.

But, as the seconds slipped by and the lights were not turned on, she
began to regain her courage. Perhaps Moran was sitting in the dark of
the other room, smoking and thinking, and perhaps she could complete her
task without being caught, if she moved swiftly and silently. She bent
again over the shining knob, at the same time watching in the direction
of the door, which was still closed as she had left it. I