“Ethel insisted on changing. She was very nervous and she wanted to be down near the men in case of trouble.” “And I had to go through forty-seven bunches of keys to get one to fit that door,” her husband complained. Denby shot a swift glance toward Monty, who was wearing an “I told you so” expression. “She seemed positively afraid of you, Denby, from what my wife said,” Harrington concluded. “You’re not drinking your highball, Mr. Denby,” Alice observed. “I’m saving it,” he smiled. “That’s a very obvious hint,” Nora cried. “Let’s leave them, Alice.” She sauntered to the door. “Very well,” her hostess said, “and we’ll expect you in a few minutes, Monty. You’re coming, Michael?” “In just a moment,” he returned. “I’ve got one more old wheeze I want to spring on Denby. He’s a capital audience for the elderly ones.” “When Mr. Denby has recovered,” she commanded, “come down and play.” “Certainly, my dear,” he said obediently. “And, Michael,” she said smiling, “don’t think you’ve fooled me.” “Fooled you,” he exclaimed innocently, “why, I’d never even dream of trying to!” His wife moved toward Denby and took the half-finished highball from his hand. “Michael,” she said, handing it to him, “here’s the rest of your drink.” She went from the room still smiling at the deep knowledge she had of her Michael’s little ways. Michael imbibed it gratefully. “My wife’s a damned clever woman,” he exclaimed enthusiastically, as he trotted out obediently in her wake. Directly he had gone Denby went quickly to the door and made sure it was closed tightly. “It was that girl, after all, Monty!” he said in a low, tense voice. “She tried to pry open the drawer with that paper-knife. You can see the marks. I found the knife on the floor, where she’d dropped it on hearing me at the door.” Monty looked at him with sympathy in his eyes. “That’s pretty tough, old man,” he said softly. “It’s hard to believe that she is the kind of woman to take advantage of our friendship to turn me over to the police,” he admitted. Then his face took on a harder, sterner look. “But it’s no use beating about the bush; that’s exactly what she did.” “I’m sorry, mighty sorry,” Monty said, realizing as he had never done what this perfidy meant to his old friend. “I don’t want to have to fight her,” Denby said. “The very idea seems unspeakable.” “What can we do if you don’t?” Monty asked doubtfully. “If she’ll only tell me who it is that sent her here--the man who’s after me--I’ll fight him, and leave her out of it.” “But if she won’t do that?” Monty questioned. “Then I’ll play her own game,” Denby answered, “only this time she follows my rules for it.” As he said this both of the men fancied they could hear a creaking in the next room. “What’s that?” Monty demanded. Denby motioned to him to remain silent, and then tiptoed his way to the door connecting the rooms. “Is she there?” Monty felt himself compelled to whisper.