still
lighted. He descended to help her out.

She hesitated. "I hate to ask it, Mr. Orme," she finally said, "but you
can catch the trolley back to Chicago. They will take care of the car
here."

He nodded. "But one thing, Girl," he said. "I am going to find that other
Japanese to-morrow. I shall get the envelope. Will you call me up at the
apartment to-morrow noon? If I am not there, leave word where I can find
you."

"I will do that. But don't get yourself hurt." She let him help her to
the ground.

"At noon," he said.

"At noon. Good-night, my friend." She offered her hand.

"Good-night, Girl," he said, and then he bent over and kissed her fingers
gently.

He stood by the car until she had crossed the lawn and ascended the
steps--until the door opened and admitted her.

CHAPTER VI

A CHANCE LEAD

To follow the girl's suggestion and return at once to Chicago was Orme's
intention when he said good-night to her. The hour was close to midnight,
and the evening had been crowded so full with bewildering adventure that
he was tired. Moreover, he looked forward to a morning that might well
test his endurance even more strenuously.

He had now committed himself definitely to continue in the field against
the Japanese. Except for his desire to serve this wonderful girl who had
come so suddenly into his life, he doubtless would have permitted the
mystery of the marked bill to remain unsolved. But since the recovery of
the stolen papers was so important to her, he was prepared to run any
risk in the struggle.

Who was she? But no, that was a question she did not wish him to ask. She
was simply "Girl"--beautiful, tender, comprehending--his ideal incarnate.
As he stood there, hesitant, before the house into which she had
disappeared, he pictured her again--even to the strand of rebellious hair
which had blown across her cheek. He could discover no fault in her
perfection.

A man came into view on the drive at the side of the house: a servant to
care for the car, of course; and Orme, with the uneasy feeling of one who
has been trespassing, moved away toward the corner of the block. He
looked back, however, and saw the newcomer clamber into the car and send
it slowly up the drive.

At the same time a light illumined one of the upper windows of the house.
A shadow was thrown on the curtain. Perhaps it was the girl herself. What
explanation had she given her friends for appearing so late at their
door? Pr