"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 be accounted for in no other way." "So I supposed. Well, there is no harm done, but now, you understand, we must play out the game." "Play it out?" "Surely; act natural, permit no suspicion to be aroused. Even if I should feel 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 the matter to such an extreme, yet I must insist on the right if it becomes necessary. 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 you come 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 declared smilingly. "For the very counterpart of you certainly visited me. I had a clear view of her in the moon-light, but she vanished down the hall. I would 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 comes Percival Coolidge!" CHAPTER V WEST WINS THE FIRST HAND The newcomer stood at the edge of the front steps, and paused long enough to light a cigarette before descending. His features were as clear cut as though done in marble, and about as expressive. To all outward appearances, the man was cold, emotionless, selfish egotism written on every feature. For the first time, in the glare of the bright morning light, West took stock of the fellow, and realized his true nature. Instinctively he felt that here was the particular antagonist he was to be pitted against. Whatever might be the truth as to a strange woman, this man must be the controlling factor in any conspiracy. His companion must have sensed the same fact, for she swiftly drew back beneath the shadow of the vines. "You meet him," she whispered, "alone. I would rather he did not find us together." "But can you escape unseen?" "Yes, under cover of the hedge. But be very careful what you say."