Part 14 (1/2)

Taylor seemed to take a keen interest in Amy Cartwright's financial affairs.

”That's quite an interesting question,” he observed judiciously. ”What did you do with your half?”

”I--I paid a lot of bills,” the girl stammered.

”Paid a lot of bills!” her sister exclaimed. ”But Amy, you distinctly told me--”

”One minute,” Taylor interrupted. ”Now, Miss Amy,” he said sharply, ”what sort of bills did you pay?”

”Oh, dressmakers and hats and things,” she answered with a trace of sullenness.

”Of course they gave you receipts?” he suggested.

”I don't remember,” she answered.

”Oh, you don't remember,” he said, fixing her with his cold eye. ”But you remember whom you paid the money to?”

”Of course she does,” Ethel cried, coming to her sister's aid. She was herself puzzled at this strange man's att.i.tude. ”You do, don't you, Amy?”

”Why, yes,” the other said weakly.

”Give me the names!” Taylor demanded, and then looked angrily up to see who had entered his office unbidden. It was James Duncan, apologetic, but urged by powers higher than those of his chief.

”The Collector and the Secretary want to see you right away, sir,” he announced.

”I can't leave now,” Taylor cried angrily. And in that moment both girls realized of what ruthless metal he was cast. Gone was the amiable interest in family matters and the kindly wish to aid two girls in getting back their trinkets, and there was left a strong remorseless man who showed he had them very nearly in his power.

But Duncan dared not go back with such a message.

”I explained you were busy, Chief,” he said, ”but they would have you come down at once, as the Secretary has to go back to Was.h.i.+ngton. It's about that necklace. The one coming in on the Mauretania this afternoon.”

”Oh, very well,” his superior snapped. ”I shall have to ask you ladies to excuse me for five minutes.”

”Certainly,” Ethel Cartwright returned.

At the door Taylor beckoned to Duncan and spoke in a whisper. ”Get outside in the corridor and if they try to leave, stop 'em. And I shall want to know what they've been talking about. Understand?”

”Sure, Chief,” Duncan returned.

When both men had gone from the room Amy clung half-hysterically to her strong, calm sister. ”Oh, Ethel, they know, they know!”

”Know what?” Ethel asked, amazed at the change in the other.

”That man suspects,” Amy whispered. ”I know he does. Did you see how he glared at me and the way he spoke?”

”Suspects what?” Ethel asked. ”Amy, what do you mean? What is there to suspect?”

”Don't let them take me away!” the younger sister wailed. ”Oh, don't, don't!”

Ethel drew back a step and looked into the trembling Amy's tear-stained face.