suddenly remembered had
been registered under an assumed name, out of the way on some pretext or
other, and had gone to Ruth's room, with the intention, no doubt, of
carrying out her previous threats. The situation was frightful. It would
admit of no delay. Grace dashed to the desk and began to speak rapidly,
in a frightened voice, to the clerk.

"That woman"--she exclaimed--"the one who just went up in the
elevator--she is going to Miss Ruth Morton's room--you must stop
her--there is no telling what she may not do--send up, quick--quick!
Miss Morton is in the greatest danger."

The clerk looked at her, his mouth half open with surprise.

"I--what do you mean, Miss? I don't understand you. We have no Miss
Morton here." He regarded Grace apprehensively, and out of the corner of
his eye looked toward the cashier, as though he contemplated calling on
him for assistance in case this apparently mad woman became violent.

Grace gave a groan of despair.

"The daughter of the elderly lady, about whom I asked you before. Her
name is Morton. Her daughter Ruth is staying here under an assumed
name--Bradley, you say it is. Oh--please be quick. I know what I am
talking about. That woman who came here a while ago is a dangerous
character. She gave Mrs. Morton some message or other to get her out of
the way, and as soon as she had gone came back into the hotel and went
upstairs in the elevator. Didn't you see her?"

"Yes, Miss, I saw her. She was a friend of Mrs. Bradley's, she said, and
I supposed Mrs. Bradley had told her to go upstairs."

"I tell you, that woman who just went upstairs means harm--terrible
harm, to Miss Bradley--Miss Morton. Oh--don't stand there wasting time.
Come up with me at once, and you will see that I am right----"

"But--who are you, Miss? What have you to do with the matter?"

"What difference does that make, if what I say is true? If you must
know, I am a detective employed by Mrs. Morton----"

"Employed by Mrs. Morton! And yet you didn't know her when you saw her!
My dear woman, your story does not hang together----"

"It is my husband, Mr. Duvall, who is employed by her. He was registered
here under the name of Bradley, too. I am trying to help him."

"Oh!" The clerk seemed somewhat more inclined to accord her serious
attention. "Very well. I will go to the room with you, and see if
everything is all right."

"And hurry, please--hurry." Grace started toward the elevators.

Then a sudden