tics, diplomacy, commerce,
war--while we women stay at home and knit or darn socks or take care of
the baby or make over our clothes and hats or do household work or
play the piano or read. Never any adventure. Never any games. Never any
clubs. The leaving your house to go to the office is an adventure. A
train from here to Philadelphia is an adventure. We women are always
craving it. And about all we can squeeze out of life is shopping and
hiding the bills after marriage, and going to the movies before marriage
with young men our fathers don't like. We can't even stroll the street
and admire the handsome gowns of our more fortunate sisters the way you
men do. When you see a pretty woman on the street do you ever stop to
think that there are ten at home eating their hearts out? Of course you
don't. So I'm going through with this, to satisfy suppressed instincts;
and I shan't promise to trot along as usual."

"They may attempt to kidnap you, Kitty."

"That doesn't frighten me."

"So I observe. But if they ever should have the luck to kidnap you, tell
all you know at once. There's only one way up here--the elevator. I can
get out to the fire escape, but none can get in from that direction, as
the door is of steel."

"And, of course, you'll take me into your confidence completely?"

"When the time comes. Half the fun in an adventure is the element of the
unexpected," said Cutty.

"Where did you first meet Stefani Gregor?"

Captain Harrison laughed. He liked this girl. She was keen and could
be depended upon, as witness last night's work. Her real danger lay in
being conspicuously pretty, in looking upon this affair as merely a kind
of exciting game, when it was tragedy.

"What makes you think I know Stefani Gregor?" asked Cutty, genuinely
curious.

"When I pronounced that name you whirled upon me as if I had struck
you."

"Very well. When we learn who Two-Hawks is I'll tell you what I know
about Gregor. And in the meantime you will be ceaselessly under guard.
You are an asset, Kitty, to whichever side holds you. Captain Harrison
is going to stay for dinner. Won't you join us?"

"I'm going to a studio potluck with some girls. And it's time I was on
the way. I'll let your Tony Bernini know. Home probably at ten."

Cutty went with her to the elevator and when he returned to the tea
table he sat down without speaking.

"Why not kidnap her yourself," suggested Harrison, "if you don't want
her in this?"

"She