Part 48 (2/2)
”Mrs. Clephane understands,” Harleston explained ”I confide her to your care. _a bientot._”
He hurried out. A taxi, waiting with power on, sped up; he sprang aboard and it raced away.
As it neared the Connecticut Avenue bridge, the taxi slowed down a trifle and the driver half-faced around.
”The other car is just ahead, sir,” he reported.
”Very good,” said Harleston. ”Does the driver know we're behind him?”
”I've signalled, sir, and he's answered.”
”Maintain the distance,” Harleston directed.
”Yes sir,” said the man.
Keeping about a hundred yards apart--the two cars sped down the hill and around Dupont Circle to Ma.s.sachusetts Avenue, thence by it and Sixteenth Street to H. The one in the lead continued on toward Fourteenth.
Harleston's shot down Fifteenth, flashed over the tracks at Pennsylvania Avenue, swung into F Street, and drew in at the Chateau just as the other came around the Fourteenth Street corner, and rolled slowly up to the curb.
As Snodgra.s.s was a.s.sisting Madeline Spencer to alight--and taking his time about it--Harleston glanced at his watch, sprang from his car, and hastened over.
”This is fortunate, Mrs. Spencer!” he exclaimed. ”Just after you left the Rataplan the Secretary of State telephoned that he was summoned to the White House at four, and I should bring you an hour earlier. On the chance of overtaking you, I beat it after you. Now if Captain Snodgra.s.s will permit you, we have just time to get over to the Department.”
”Will you excuse me, Captain Snodgra.s.s?” she asked, with her compelling smile.
”A Secretary of State may not be denied,” Snodgra.s.s replied. ”In this instance in particular I would I were his Excellency.”
”Come and dine with me at eight,” giving him her hand.... ”Now, Mr.
Harleston, I am ready.”
”What did you do with Mrs. Clephane?” she asked, when they were started.
”I left her at the Rataplan,” he replied.
”Alone?”
”Oh no--with Carpenter, who chanced to be handy.”
”The bald-headed chap, who spoke to you in the dining-room?”
”Exactly!”
”Carpenter is the chief of the Cipher Division, I believe you said.”
”I don't recall that I said it, Madeline, but your information is correct.”
”I think I'll ask the Secretary for the letter,” she remarked.
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