.
"I only stopped on my way to the Judsons' for my vanity case. The car
is coming back for me."

Wiley glanced quickly at Willa, then turned to her cousin.

"I am going on also. Will you give me a lift? I really dropped in
just to say 'How-do-you-do'."

"Good-night, Mr. Wiley." Willa held out her hand to him.

"Good-night. Remember my prediction." His eyes rested upon her
daringly, their ardor for a fleeting instant unmasked as the other girl
turned away. "I am willing to stake my life that it will come true."

She smiled, adopting his own light bantering tone.

"Is it worth so high a stake? Good-night, Angie."

Without waiting for a reply, she bowed, and, turning, left them
together.

CHAPTER XII

COALS OF FIRE

Willa paused in the vestibule of the shabby apartment-house and looked
carefully up and down the street before venturing forth. The early dusk
had fallen and the lamps were not yet alight, but the passers-by were
still clearly discernible in the gloom. The girl studied their movements
for a time, and noting that none loitered or retraced their steps, she
descended and made her way around the corner to where her car was waiting.

Dan Morrissey touched his cap with alacrity.

"One guy in a taxicab down the avenue there, Miss, and another across the
street. Where to, now?"

"The little house on the Parkway, where you took me the first time," she
directed on a sudden impulse. "When you drop me there, go straight back
to the garage and wait until you get a call from me."

"They're both stringing out behind us," he announced, when they had
traversed a mile or more in silence.

"That is what I wanted them to do," Willa responded. "Don't look back
again, Dan; just go along as if you didn't know anyone was trailing. I'm
glad you lighted up while you were waiting for me."

The long, low car seemed to stretch out over the road like a lean horse
in a speed that ate up the miles and more than one motor-cycle policeman
gazed appraisingly after them, but they drove steadily ahead and drew up
at length before the sagging gate.

Darkness had come and the little house looked bleak and deserted. As
Willa sprang out of the car, Dan hesitated, and then volunteered:

"Looks as if there wasn't anybody there. Sure you don't want me to wait,
Miss? The first taxi' is coming now."

"No. Don't worry about me, Dan." She smiled understandingly. "I don't
think I'll need you any more to-night,