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THE CASE AND THE GIRL
BY RANDALL PARRISH
1922
CONTENTS
CHAPTER
I THE LADY IN THE LIMOUSINE
II A SUDDEN ENGAGEMENT
III THE COOLIDGE HOME
IV MISS COOLIDGE EXPLAINS
V WEST WINS THE FIRST HAND
VI UNTANGLING THREADS
VII A VISIT TO THE INDIGENT
VIII A NEW MISS COOLIDGE
IX AN UNEXPECTED DISMISSAL
X THE BODY OF A SUICIDE
XI SUSPICION VERIFIED
XII AGAINST A STONE WALL
XIII 238 WRAY STREET
XIV TRAPPED
XV THE EDGE OF COMPROMISE
XVI WEST MAKES HIS CHOICE
XVII FACING DEATH
XVIII UNDER COVER
XIX THE COMING OF A MESSAGE
XX WHAT THE TELEPHONE TOLD
XXI THE YACHT "SEMINOLE"
XXII KIDNAPPED
XXIII THE FATE OF A PRISONER
XXIV THE SINKING YACHT
XXV FREE OF THE YACHT
XXVI THE COMING OF DAWN
XXVII LOVE BREAKS SILENCE
XXVIII AN ESCAPE FROM THE RAFT
XXIX THE HOUSE IN THE BLUFFS
XXX HOBART FORGETS AND TALKS
XXXI McADAMS BLOWS IN
XXXII A BRIDGE OF LOVE
THE CASE AND THE GIRL
CHAPTER I
THE LADY IN THE LIMOUSINE
West, still attired in khaki uniform, but wearing the red chevron ofhonourable discharge on his left sleeve, sat in the Club writing room,his feet comfortably elevated, endeavouring to extract some entertainmentfrom the evening paper. The news was not particularly interesting,however, and finally, obsessed with the feeling that it would soon betime for him to seriously contemplate the procuring of suitableemployment, the young man turned the sheet about rather idly, and ran hiseyes down the columns devoted to classified advertising.
Half way down the first column, under the head of "miscellaneous," hepaused and read a paragraph with some interest; then read it over again,emitting a soft whistle between his teeth.
"Well, by Jove!" he said to himself slowly, "That doesn't sound so badeither; out of the ordinary, at least. Say, Thompson," and he turned toa tall young fellow busily writing at the adjoining desk, and shoved thepaper under his eyes, pointing at the paragraph which had attractedattention, with one finger, "What do you make out of that, old man?"
The other, rather sober-faced, and slow of speech, read the advertisementword by word, with no change of expression.
"Rot," he said solemnly. "Either a joke, or some scheme on. Why?interested in it?"
"In a measure, yes. Sounds rather business-like to me. I've got a goodmind to answer, and take a chance."
"You're a fool if you do, Matt," decisively, and turning back to hiswriting. "That is some game being pulled off, and the first thing youknow, you'll be in bad. Likely as not it means blackmail. Besides thereis no address."
"That's one thing I like about it," retorted the other. "They are inearnest, and taking no chances of having their purpose guessed at. Thereis a way to reach them, if the one answering is sufficiently in earnest.By Jove, I don't see how any one can get in bad, merely by finding outwhat it all means."
"Well, do as you please; you would anyhow. Only you have my advice."
West read the item again. He had been eighteen months in France, and hisdischarge from the army had left him bored and dissatisfied with the dullroutine of civil life. He dreaded to get back into the harness of aprosaic existence; even his profession as a civil engineer had somewaylost its charm. He had tasted the joy of adventure, the thrill of danger,and it was still alluring. This advertisement promised a mystery whichstrangely attracted his imagination.
_"Wanted: Young man of education and daring for service involving somepersonal peril. Good pay, and unusual reward if successful. May have toleave city. Purpose disclosed only in personal interview."_
As Thompson had pointed out, this was not signed, nor any address given.
West crossed over to an unoccupied desk, and wrote a reply, changing thewording several times, and finally making a clean copy. Thompson glancedacross at him, but said nothing. The answer read:
_"To Advertiser: Am 26; late captain of Engineers; University graduateadventurous disposition. Would be glad to consider your proposition.Address, Box 57, University Club."_
He placed this in an envelope, called a Club messenger, and, handing theboy a sum of money, sent him over to the newspaper office.
Two days elapsed before an answer appeared in his box; a small envelope,addressed in a lady's handwriting apparently, and mailed from one of thesub-postoffices. West tore it open rather eagerly, and read the contentswith surprise. The words within had been written by the same hand whichappeared upon the envelope, but the language used gave him no clue to thepurpose of the writer. The brief note read:
"Box 57 University Club.
"Your answer to advertisement makes a good impression, and I am willingto put you to the further test of a personal meeting. If you are inearnest in this matter, and quite prepared to assume the necessary risk,you will be at the north-west corner of Spaulding Park at 5:30 to-morrowafternoon. Do not come in uniform, but it will be well to bring eveningclothes in a bag. Be sure of yourself, and be prompt.
"Very truly yours,
"The Advertiser."
West read this over, again and again, smoking furiously, and endeavouringto weigh each word. He saw Thompson in the other room, but decided not tosubmit the epistle to his criticism. The letter sounded honest andsincere; the writer evidently had a purpose in view, and was selectingan agent with great care and secrecy. No hint as to what that object waswould be revealed blindly--he must be tried in every way first;thoroughly tested as to both character and courage. Undoubtedly steps hadalready been taken to do this. The delay in reply would have affordedopportunity for some investigation, as his address would give thenecessary clue to his identity. The request for evening clothes, however,rather reassured him; evidently his first plunge into this mystery wasnot to occur in any stratum of low society; no vast amount of personaldanger could be involved in such preliminaries. The truth was, the noteonly increased his former interest in the case, and his determination toprobe more deeply into its mystery. So the advertiser was a woman! Thisfact also stimulated his imagination, and rendered him the more eager. ByJove! he would see the thing through!
His decision was reached, yet West, although still young and adventurous,had received the rigorous training of the soldier, and learned lessons ofdiscretion. He would go, but would make every effort to protect himselfagainst any possible treachery. He had a room at the Club, and wrote aletter or two before proceeding to dress, arranging for their personaldelivery in case he failed to return at a designated time; carefullyexamined his service revolver, and deposited it in the pocket of thebusiness suit he decided to wear. Satisfied with these arrangements, hedressed rapidly, and then packed his bag, bearing it in his hand as hedeparted in ample time for the point of rendezvous. A cab took him to theplace designated, and he found himself alone in a rather desolate spot,with which he was in no way familiar. No doubt he had passed there againand again, as a boulevard extended along one side of the small park, yethis memory retained no clear recollection of the place. There were a fewsmall stores opposite, while the park itself was well kept, and populatedalmost entirely by nursemaids, judging from the n
umber of baby carriagestrailing along the walks. Back of the curb were a few benches, but Westchose to remain outside, depositing his bag in plain view of any onepassing, and then walked back and forth somewhat nervously. He was thereseveral minutes ahead of time, and compared his watch by a clock in achurch tower a block away. He had no knowledge of how he was to beapproached, or identified, but his being requested to bring a bagcontaining evening clothes, somehow suggested riding, rather thanwalking, and consequently his eyes followed more or less intently theconstant stream of automobiles.
He grew restless, and more doubtful as the moments slipped past. Surelyhe could not have mistaken the place of appointment or the hour? Heglanced at the scene to again reassure himself. No, that was impossible;the park name was plainly decipherable beside the entrance, and his watchcoincided exactly with the clock in the tower. He stood beside his bag,staring up and down the boulevard, permitting his eyes to occasionallywander to the scene within the enclosure. Nothing rewarded his scrutiny.Then suddenly, without slightest warning, a black limousine whirled inalongside the curb, and came to a stop immediately in front of where hewaited. The chauffeur, dressed in plain dark livery, stepped out, andthrew open the rear door, without asking so much as a question. Exceptthat the fellow stood there, looking directly toward him, his fingers onthe latch, expectantly, West would not have known that he was wanted. Yetit was all so obvious he could not question. Silently he picked up hisbag, and stepped forward. He saw no one within, but firm in the beliefthat the chauffeur must have his orders, he entered blindly, the doorclosing instantly behind him. The curtains were drawn, the interiorgloomy and indistinct, and the driver had resumed his seat, and startedthe motor, before West realized that he was not alone. In one corner ofthe wide back seat, drawn back from any possible observation fromwithout, sat a woman.
At first glance he could only barely distinguish the outlines of herfigure, dimly discernable against the dark background of the upholstery,but, as his eyes accustomed themselves to the faint light, her featuresalso became dimly visible--enough so, at least, to convince him that shewas young. Neither spoke for some moments, while the automobile gatheredspeed, and West had an uncomfortable feeling that the lady was watchinghim with great intentness. Slightly embarrassed, and uncertain as to hisbest course of action, the young man remained silent, his eyes on theburly back of the chauffeur, revealed through the front glass. He couldonly quietly await her explanation of this strange situation. The delaywas not a long one. She laughed, nervously perhaps, yet with a sense ofhumour at the awkward position.
"Quite melodramatic, is it not, Captain West?" she asked, in a decidedlypleasant voice. "I trust it appeals thoroughly to that disposition foradventure of which you wrote. I assure you I have arranged the detailsto the best of my ability."
"Nothing more could be desired, I am sure," he confessed, surprised ather tone, and glancing toward her. "I certainly am left completely in thedark, unable even to clearly distinguish my mysterious companion inadventure."
"And there really is no longer any occasion for such concealment." Shelifted the heavy curtain beside her, permitting the grey light to restupon her face. "I preferred not to be seen at the park for obviousreasons; but here, alone with you, such precaution is quiteunnecessary. We are to be either friends, or enemies, so frankness isthe best course."
He saw the face of a young woman of twenty-four, or five, with dark eyesand hair, her cheeks flushed with health and excitement, her lipssmiling. It was a face of unusual attractiveness, not regular, perhaps,in any of its features, yet filled with character, and glowing with life.It was to him a totally unfamiliar countenance, but one which asinstantly awakened his interest. He liked the girl, and believed in her.
"I can only thank you," he said, rather lamely. "Although I do notunderstand now how we could ever become enemies. Surely, that is nota threat?"
"Oh, no, it is far too true. You have yet to learn what I require. Yetthat was very nicely said. I take it to mean your first impression of meis not unfavourable?"
"Very far from it. I am already deeply interested in my task. If I lackedan incentive before, you have furnished it. I am only too glad I was thefortunate volunteer."
She laughed again softly, her eyes still on his face.
"Really, I had not anticipated such a sincere compliment. No doubt youlearned these delightful speeches in France," she answered, a very fainttinge of sarcasm in the words. "However, this is a very serious matter,Captain West, and really has nothing to do with my personal appearance. Iam, of course, being a woman, glad that I please you, but we mustconsider this particular affair from an entirely different standpoint. Iam seeking neither flirtation nor compliment; merely a trustworthy agent.First of all, it is necessary that you comprehend this."
He bowed, impressed by her manner, and somewhat ashamed of hisimpetuousity.
"I accept the reproof," he said quietly, "and will endeavour henceforthnot to offend in any way. I am entirely at your service."
"There is no offence; I merely thought it best there should be nomisunderstanding. Now, I am sure, we can proceed intelligently. Indeed, Iam going to frankly confess, I also like your appearance. This mutualliking ought to be half the battle. We have quite a ride before us yet;you may question me if you wish."
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