dventure.

"Perhaps we might find a little corner in that dining-room I saw this
afternoon, with an obliging waiter to bring us something to eat. Shall
we try? I need a lot of coffee, for I am going down to the dock of the
Yacht Club to await developments."

"You big silly boy," she cautioned, with a maternal note in her voice
which was very sweet to bachelor ears from such a maiden mouth, "you
must not let Nature snap. You have a wonderful physique but you must go
home to bed."

"It can't be done--I want to hear about your little visit to the
apartment, and the story of the diary. I'll ask the clerk."

A bill glided across the register of the hotel desk, and the greeter
promised to attend to the club sandwiches himself. He led them to a
cosey table, in the deserted room, and started out to send the bell-boy
to a nearby lunchroom.

"Just a minute please,--if any one calls up Miss Marigold, don't let
them know she has returned. I have something important to say, without
interruption: you understand?"

"Yes, I get you, sir," and the droll part was that with a familiarity
generated of the hotel arts he did understand even better than Shirley
or Helene. He had seen many other young millionaires and golden-haired
actresses. Shirley looked across the table into the astral blue of
those gorgeous eyes. Certain unbidden, foolish words strove to liberate
themselves from his stubborn lips.

"I am a consummate idiot!" was all that escaped, and Helene looked her
surprise.

"Why, have you made a mistake?"

"I hope not. But tell me of Warren's mistake."

She had been waiting what seemed an eternity before Van Cleft's house,
when a big machine drew up alongside. Warren greeted her with a smiling
invitation to leave Shirley guessing. Her willingness to go, she felt,
would disarm his suspicions. The little dinner in the apartment with
Shine, Warren and three girls had been in good taste enough: pretending,
however, to be overcome with weariness she persuaded them to let her
cuddle up on the couch, where she feigned sleep. Warren had tossed an
overcoat over her and left the apartment with the others, promising to
return in a few minutes. He had said to Shine, "She'll be quiet until
we return--it may be a good alibi to have her here." Then he had
disappeared, wearing only a soft hat, with no other overcoat. Listening
at the closed hall door, she heard him direct the elevator man, "Second
off, Joe." The door was locked from the