nly game," he replied.

"Far be it from me to balk either--when something may result of
advantage to your--"

"--beautiful and fascinating self," he interjected.

She raised her eyebrows and laughed scornfully, as the lift bore her
upwards.

XVI

ANOTHER LETTER

Harleston sauntered through Peacock Alley; not finding Mrs. Clephane, he
had himself announced and went up to her apartment.

Outwardly he was impassive; inwardly there was the liveliest sensation
of eagerness and anticipation. He could not recall a time when he had so
much joy in living, and in the expectation of the woman. And when he
felt Mrs. Clephane's small hand in his, and heard her bid him welcome,
and looked into her eyes, he was well content to be alive--and with her.

"I've quite a lot to tell you," she smiled. "I'm so glad you could dine
with me--it will give us much more time."

"Time is not of the essence of this contract," he replied.

"What contract?" she asked, with a fetching little frown of perplexity.

"The contract of the present--and the future."

"Oh, you mean our friendship--and that you won't doubt me ever again?"

"Precisely--and then some," he confided.

"What is the 'some', Mr. Harleston?" frowning again in perplexity.

"Whatever may happen," he said slowly.

"You mean it?" she asked.

"I mean it--and more--when I may."

"The 'more' and the 'may' are in the future," she remarked. "Meanwhile,
what have you to report?"

"Very considerable," said he. "Mrs. Spencer was in the Collingwood, this
afternoon--in the Chartrands' apartment. And the telephone girl
recognized her as the woman who left the building on the night of
the--cab."

"That explains a lot to you!" Mrs. Clephane exclaimed.

"The explanation isn't necessary, except to complete the chain of
events," he replied. "We know the later and essential facts as to the
letter. There is just one earlier circumstance that isn't clear to me;
and while, as I say, it's immaterial yet I'm curious. How did the
Spencer gang know that I had taken the letter from the cab?"

"Oh!" Mrs. Clephane cried. "I fancy I can explain. You know I saw you at
the cab. Well, when they released me, I concluded I'd give them
something to think about, and I remarked that Mr. Harleston, of the
United States Diplomatic Service, had stopped at the cab, looked inside,
and then started the horse out Massachusetts Avenue. I thought I had
told you."

"You didn't tell me, but it's ver