there seemed to be nothing
else that he could do. Miss Ford had not left the house, although the
other woman, apparently her confederate, had done so. He stood in the
shadow of the apartment building, trying to decide what move he should
make next.

CHAPTER XIV

Grace Duvall, on being left at the hotel by her husband, spent a long
and very tiresome afternoon. She had expected Richard back long before,
with news, perhaps, of a successful investigation of the woman, Marcia
Ford, whose address was so near that of the Mortons. But when six
o'clock came, and went, with no news of her husband, Grace came to the
conclusion that he had probably struck a long trail, and being a
normally healthy person, with an excellent appetite, she went to the
dining room and ordered dinner, leaving word at the desk where she would
be, in case Richard returned.

Her lonely meal was over by seven, and, not knowing what to do next,
Grace went out on the sidewalk, with the intention of looking for her
friend of the evening before, the taxicab driver, Leary. It was possible
that the man might have something more to report. As she reached the
door, she saw him descend from his cab. He came forward at once, tipping
his cap.

"Taxi, ma'am," he asked.

"No, I don't think so, Leary. Anything new?"

"Not a thing, ma'am. Haven't seen that party since. Can't I take you for
a drive, ma'am?"

Grace was on the point of refusing, when a sudden idea came to her. She
hastily opened her pocketbook, tore out the pieces of the visiting card
that Duvall had left upon the table, and fitted them together.

"Drive me to 162 W. 57th Street," she directed, and stepped into the
cab.

Leary touched his cap, and in a few moments they were speeding up the
Avenue.

"Don't go right up to the address," Grace told him through the speaking
tube. "Stop a little below, but in a place where I can see the door."

The man nodded, and a little later they turned into 57th Street and drew
up alongside the curb.

"Do you think you would recognize the woman who gave you the card, last
night?" Grace asked.

"Yes, ma'am. I think I should, ma'am."

"Very well. Watch the doorway of number 162. If she goes in let me know.
If she comes out, follow her. I shall probably recognize her myself, if
she is the woman I think. I saw her for a few moments at the Grand
Theater last night. But she may not be the same one. We'll know that
later."

Leary nodded, and they began