Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1922-12-08
The Case and The Girl

understand this clearly7"
''In q measure that Is quite true"
feeling the sharp sting OF her words.
"Yet the comparison is hardly fair, Is
lt7 ] am not detective in the sense
with which you employ the term. You
knew was not serving you for pay"
"Did II"
II should hope you did," his voice
hardening slightly.
"But for what other end did you
volunteer your servlcesT
perhaps that Is not so easily ex-
planned II was n spirit OF adventure
which first led me to answer your adj
vertisement, | presume. At least, l
can give 1t no other name. Then. when
we met, you appealed to me personal
ly; felt desire to further our ac-
quaintance and well, your story
aroused my interest.
"Is that all?"
ut might have been had not you
chosen methods Of procedure which led
me to other thoughts"
She laughed.
"Oh, / see! All this has happened
because l introduced you to the others
as my fance. Why. that is positively
funny. Didn't you know that was
only part of the game being played2"
yes" he said, ignoring the humor
Of II, and feeling oddly sober. II I'M
derstood, and was playing, the same
as you. Only both Of us. I think, for
get an important fact"
what, pleasef'
"That we were young, socially on a
level, and that you were an exceed.
ingly charming young woman"
She laughed again, yet this time with
more restraint.
THAT Is quite ridiculous, Captain
West. Surely, you are not actually
making love to me?"
mo, l am not. am merely facing
the situation very frankly. 1t would
be useless for me to claim lack Of In
terest In you. From our very first
meeting you have appealed to me
strongly-more so than any other wo-
man Of my acquaintance. l confess I
cure lOI yOu a. NOllluu.
"Really you are quite flattering.
never dreamed I possessed such mar
velous powers" She remained silent
moment. her eyes shaded by their
long lashes; then uplifted them again
to his face. "Tllls makes II all the
more necessary that now speak plain
~" she went on ut length, "That I
should explain to you II has all been
mistake. That was why asked you
TO come here now"
"All mistake! Not the trouble
you were I'm, surelyf"
yes l must have dreamed most Of
II, | think. have just had long,
confidential talk with Percival Cool.
idge, and we understood each other
perfectly. Everything has been ex-
planned. SO there is no necessity for
our pretending any longer"
West rose to his feet, comprehend
ing her full meaning. yet unwilling to
yield his position without further ex-
PLANTATION.
"Your words are certainly plain
enough" he said slowly, "yet I trust
l may be pardoned II ask n question
or so. Do you mean the mystery Is
already solved without my further
assistance?"
II am convinced there was no mys-
terry; that II was only Imagination,
Captain West. My calling you was a
mistake"
There is no one impersonating
your
mo"
'"The checks Mt the bank; the
strange person using your name; all
these were mythsf"
She laughed.
"Of course. I really believed all I
| said TO you at the time. but everything
has been explained since, and | real.
lie how very foolish have Deen."
you sent for me, then. merely to
say was dismissedr
Eyes"
"And you told Coolidge. of course,
how / came to be here"
Eyes"
"And the others? What Will they
Think"
"Why, that can mike no difference.
Let them suppose we had quarrel,
and that our engagement Is broken"
and she laughed again, evidently vast
! ly amused at the idea.
"But you, personality" he Insisted
She sobered instantly, also rising,
and facing him.
Captain West, let us be sensible. I
invited you here for certain pur.
pose. You were employed as much as
any Of my other servants. Is that n
sufficient anSwerT
ut certainly Is. will depart at
once"
"Thank you. The limousine will be
nj the door. You will return to the
club, | presumed"
Temporarily, until other arrange
ments are made"
He bowed and left her standing
there In the shadows, the expression
OF her face yelled. but there seemed
no response, no softening in the rigid