nights ago when I was waiting
in the garage for a call from you, Miss. A fine big, new touring car
was edged in beside mine and the chauffeur, a little dark feller, began
talkin' to me. I remembered what you'd told me, and keepin' my own
mouth shut, I let him rave. In just about ten minutes I knew it was
all bunk; he was tellin' too much, tryin' too hard to get thick with me
all of a sudden. His gentleman was a free-handed sport and what was
good enough for him was none too good for his driver; champagne, the
fellow wanted me to go out and have with him, and I couldn't tell you
what-all, Miss."

"I rather expected that," Willa nodded.

"Then, when I got home to my boardin'-house, there was a new lodger in
the room next to mine, a long-legged, sandy-haired galoot. The same
thing began again; he came in to borry a match and stayed half the
night. I let him down easy, though if I hadn't remembered your
instructions I'd be after sendin' him home through his own transom!
Everywhere I've been for the last two days, barber shop and all, I've
been tailed. It's fun if you look at it in one way, but it gets my
goat, too. If you say the word, Miss, I'll sail in and lick the bunch
of them!"

"No, Dan; not yet," Willa smiled. "The man behind them is responsible
and he's been punished for the time being, anyway. How many men are
trailing us? I haven't looked back."

"I made sure of three, but they may be strung out after us like an
Irish funeral, for all I know," replied Dan, gloomily. "My chauffeur
friend is on a motor cycle now, my red-headed neighbor is in a
runabout, and a strange feller in a big car. There's small chance of
losing them, I'm thinkin'."

"Then drive straight to that apartment-house from which the two
taxicabs followed us the other day. They've spotted me there already,
you see, and I've no doubt they've investigated there, so another visit
won't do any harm. Wait around the corner for me, as you did the last
time."

Willa alighted before the shabby vestibule and without a glance to
right or left made her way in and pressed a button marked "Lopez." The
front door clicked a prompt response and she ran lightly up two flights
of dark and dingy stairs.

A thin, sallow little woman with soft, black eyes awaited her at an
opened door and ushered her into the stuffy garish front parlor where
she eyed her visitor in palpable nervousness.

"How are my friends?" Willa asked without preamble. "The