The Case and the Girl

by Randall Parrish

  CHAPTER IV

  MISS COOLIDGE EXPLAINS

  Vague and indistinct as was that fleeting vision in the moonlight, Westfelt no doubt as to the identity of his visitor--the woman was NatalieCoolidge. His one glimpse of her vanishing figure assured him of thisfact, and he drew back instantly, unwilling to follow. Where she had gonehe neither knew, nor cared. She had come to his room secretly, supposinghim asleep, and this surprising knowledge dominated his mind. What couldsuch an act mean? This was certainly a home of respectability, of wealth.The guests being entertained were evidence of that; yet this secretentrance into his private apartment at such an hour suggested theft, oreven some more desperate crime. There was mystery here, at least, amystery beyond his power of discernment. However, this recognition ratherhardened him to his task, than otherwise. He had been forced into thestrange environment, and now meant to penetrate its every secret.

  This time he locked the outer door carefully, and lay down on the bed,wondering if there would be any further developments. As he attempted tothink, he was listening eagerly for the slightest sound of movement inthe hall. There were none; the transom stood partially open, but no noisereached his ears from the outside; clearly enough the night prowler,assured that he was still awake, had decided to make no further effort.Doubtless she believed her escape had been unseen, or, at least, that shehad remained unrecognized in the gloom, and would now resort to someentirely different method for achieving her end, whatever it could be. Hecould only wait, and watch for the next move. Perhaps the morning wouldbring full explanation. With this conception in his mind, his head soughtthe pillow, and he lapsed into unconsciousness.

  The long training of army service caused West to awaken early, while thehouse was yet quiet, but with the dawn already red in the East. Hecrossed to the window, and looked out. It was a beautiful morning, thegreen lawn yet sparkling with dew; the estate was evidently a fine one,quite extensive and carefully attended to. To the right of the tenniscourt was a well arranged flower garden, criss-crossed by white paths, anornate summer-house in its centre, completely concealed by vines. Beyondthis, conspicuous against the green back-ground, West caught the flutterof a white skirt, realizing instantly that, early as the hour was,Natalie Coolidge was already up and about. He wondered if her presencemight not be an invitation for him? Perhaps she had deliberately chosenthis early hour, before the others awoke, to explain her strange conductof the previous evening? At least, here was an opportunity to see andtalk with her alone.

  He dressed swiftly, and slipped noiselessly down-stairs, unlocking thefront door, and emerging into the fresh air, without encountering anystray members of the household. Not even a servant was visible. He passedbeyond the vine draped arbour before she realized his approach, andstraightened up, a freshly cut rose in one gloved hand, the pruningshears in the other, welcoming him with a little laugh, her eyes full ofdemure mischief.

  "I rather suspected army discipline had not entirely worn off," she saidpleasantly, "and that you might still prove to be an early riser."

  "And does this expectation account for your presence?"

  "Not wholly; it has become a habit with me. I am always the first oneout in the morning, and it will be an hour yet before breakfast isserved. However, I promised to be very frank with you, did I not? Then Iwill begin now; this morning I really hoped I might see you for a momentbefore the others were stirring--we have so much to talk about."

  "It certainly seems so to me," he responded honestly, yet not greatlyencouraged by the amusement in her eyes. "The night has been full ofsurprises."

  "During which you bore yourself exceedingly well. I have always read ofthe initiative of the American soldier, Captain, and in this case, youmet my every expectation."

  "Then I have passed the test?"

  She hesitated, her eyes seeking his, and then falling before his gaze.

  "Yes," she acknowledged slowly, "I can scarcely say anything else now;the--the affair has progressed so far already there is nothing to do butgo on with it."

  "Yet I remain wholly in the dark," he protested.. "Surely you cannotexpect real service when given so blindly?"

  "No, I do not. I mean to trust you fully. It is the only way; but do youstill truly wish to serve?"

  "I am enlisted in the cause without reserve," he insisted warmly. "WhileI learned but little last evening, that little was enough to convince methere is something strange under the surface. Your calling me to yourassistance is no joke--you actually need me."

  "I need some one on whose judgment and courage I can rely," sheanswered earnestly, "and I believe now that you are the one. It israther an odd situation, Captain West, but the circumstances surelyjustify my action. Perhaps I shall have time to partly explain now. Letus slip into the concealment of this summer-house; no one can approachwithout being seen."

  It was dark and cool under the shadow of the vines, but, for a momentafter they were seated, neither spoke. West waited expectantly for hiscompanion to break the silence, and she seemingly found it difficult tobegin her story. The flush deepened on her cheeks, and her lips parted.

  "It really seems so ridiculous," she explained at last desperately."Almost like a dream of fancy, and I hardly know how to put the situationinto words. If I were ten years younger I would almost be convincedmyself that it was all imaginary, yet everything I tell you is true. Iwonder if you will believe me?"

  "Do not question that. I realize fully your earnestness."

  "Yet I am going to test your credulity, just the same. But it would bevery foolish to venture as far as I have already, and then fail to go on.So I'll tell you just what I know, and--and then leave it there. Thatwill be the best way. Those people you met last evening have nothing todo with the story--none of them, at least, unless it may possibly bePercival Coolidge. I am rather afraid of him; I always have been. Ibelieve he knows what all this trouble means, but I do not dare goand talk with him about it. That is really what is the matter, Isuppose--there is no one I can talk to; they would only laugh at me. Ifyou do, I shall never forgive you."

  "I am not at all so inclined. Tell me the story from the very beginning."

  "Yes, I will. My father was Steven Coolidge, and was very wealthy. He didnot marry until late in life, and, I have reason to believe it was agreat disappointment to his brother Percival that a child was born.Perhaps I ought not to make such a statement, but much has occurred toimpress me with his dislike--"

  "He is your guardian?"

  "Yes; you learned that last night?"

  "From the Colonel; he seemed to enjoy talking, and naturally, I wascurious. Has Percival Coolidge wealth of his own?"

  "Only what my father left him, which was a considerable sum, and alimited interest in the business. He was very much dissatisfied with hisshare. Originally he was one of the two trustees in charge of the estate,but the other died, leaving him entirely in control. Before I was born hehad confidently expected to inherit everything."

  "The estate then is not settled?"

  "Not until I am twenty-five; within a few days now."

  "And your mother?"

  "She died at my birth."

  West leaned forward eagerly. "It is the estate then that troubles you?"he asked swiftly. "You imagine it has wasted?"

  "No, not at all. They tell me it has increased in value. My father'slawyer assures me as to this. Percival Coolidge is a good business man,but something strange is going on behind the scenes. I cannot talk withthe lawyer about it; I can scarcely be sure myself. I--I am simply upagainst a mystery I am unable to solve. Everywhere I turn I run into ablank wall."

  "But I do not understand."

  "How could you expect to, when it is so utterly obscure to me? I seem tobe fighting against a ghost."

  "A ghost!"

  "Yes; now don't laugh at me! Do you suppose I would ever have doneanything as reckless as advertising for help if I had not been actuallydesperate? Can you imagine a respectable girl performing so ridiculous anact, as putting her whole trus
t in a stranger, inviting him to her home,introducing him as her promised husband to her relatives and friends?Why, it almost proves me crazed, and, in a measure, I think I must be.But it is because I have exhausted all ordinary methods. I do not seem tobe opposing anything of flesh and blood; I am fighting against shadows. Icannot even explain my predicament to another."

  "You must try," he insisted firmly, affected by her evident distress. "Imust be told everything if I am to be of any value. A half way confidencecan accomplish nothing."

  "But it sounds so foolish; I am being haunted! I know that, yet that isall I do know."

  "Haunted, in what way?"

  "I do not even know that; but by a woman, I think--a woman who muststrangely resemble me. She pretends to be me--to my friends, to myservants, at my bank. I never see the creature, but I hear of her fromothers. She has actually drawn checks in my name, imitating my signature,and having them cashed by clerks who know me well. She has given ordersto my servants, and they protest that I gave them. She meets and talkswith my friends in places where I never go. I am sure she has actuallybeen in this house, and ridden in my car undiscovered. I am constantlyreported as being seen at restaurants and hotels where I have not been,and with parties I do not know. This has been going on for a month now. Iam unable to prove her an imposter, even to identify her. I haveendeavoured to discuss the situation with a few people, but they onlylaugh at the strange idea. No one will listen to me seriously. My lawyeractually believes I am demented."

  "And you conceived the thought that perhaps a total stranger might provemore sympathetic?"

  "Yes," she admitted. "If he was young and adventurous; provided Iinterested him at all. It would seem to offer me a chance; and then, ifunknown to the party impersonating me, such a one might learn the truthunsuspected. Do you believe me, Captain?"

  "I have no reason to doubt what you say. What you describe is notimpossible, and there surely must be an adequate explanation for it. Imean to do my very best to uncover the mystery. You have thesefraudulent checks?"

  "Yes; one was returned to me only yesterday."

  "I shall want them, together with one you drew yourself. Also the namesof the servants who have apparently been approached by this person, andthe circumstances."

  "Certainly."

  "You do not mind if I ask you one or two rather direct personalquestions?"

  "Assuredly not."

  "What caused you to announce our engagement?"

  She laughed, but from sudden embarrassment.

  "It was silly, wasn't it! Really I do not exactly know; a sudden impulse,and the words were spoken. It occurred to me that our intimacy could beaccounted for in no other way."

  "So I supposed. Well, there is no harm done, but now, you understand, wemust play out the game."

  "Play it out?"

  "Surely; act natural, permit no suspicion to be aroused. Even if I shouldfeel impelled by duty, to kiss you, it is my privilege."

  "Why--why, you cannot mean that!"

  "Oh, but I do. This is no threat that I shall insist on carrying thematter to such an extreme, yet I must insist on the right if it becomesnecessary. You would scarcely dare refuse, would you?"

  "No," she confessed, her eyes suddenly meeting his, "I--I suppose not;but--but is it necessary to discuss that now?"

  "Perhaps not, only I must know. You will play the game?"

  Her eyes fell, the breath pulsing between her lips.

  "I am not afraid," she said rather proudly. "Yes, I will play the game."

  "Good! I knew you would. And now for the second question; why did youcome to my room last night?"

  She stared at him incredulously, the flush fading from her cheeks.

  "Your room! I come to your room! Assuredly no; what can you mean?"

  "Then it must be that I have already encountered the ghost," he declaredsmilingly. "For the very counterpart of you certainly visited me. I had aclear view of her in the moon-light, but she vanished down the hall. Iwould have sworn she was you."

  "A woman?"

  "Absolutely a woman; flesh and blood, no doubt as to that."

  "When was this?"

  "After midnight."

  "It was not I, Captain West; please believe that--but hush; there comesPercival Coolidge!"