The Case and The Girl | Page 2

be glad to consider your proposition.
Address, Box 57, University Club."_
He placed this in an envelope, called a Club messenger, and, handing
the boy a sum of money, sent him over to the newspaper office.
Two days elapsed before an answer appeared in his box; a small
envelope, addressed in a lady's handwriting apparently, and mailed
from one of the sub-postoffices. West tore it open rather eagerly, and
read the contents with surprise. The words within had been written by
the same hand which appeared upon the envelope, but the language
used gave him no clue to the purpose of the writer. The brief note read:
"Box 57 University Club.
"Your answer to advertisement makes a good impression, and I am
willing to put you to the further test of a personal meeting. If you are in
earnest in this matter, and quite prepared to assume the necessary risk,
you will be at the north-west corner of Spaulding Park at 5:30
to-morrow afternoon. Do not come in uniform, but it will be well to
bring evening clothes in a bag. Be sure of yourself, and be prompt.
"Very truly yours,

"The Advertiser."
West read this over, again and again, smoking furiously, and
endeavouring to weigh each word. He saw Thompson in the other room,
but decided not to submit the epistle to his criticism. The letter sounded
honest and sincere; the writer evidently had a purpose in view, and was
selecting an agent with great care and secrecy. No hint as to what that
object was would be revealed blindly--he must be tried in every way
first; thoroughly tested as to both character and courage. Undoubtedly
steps had already been taken to do this. The delay in reply would have
afforded opportunity for some investigation, as his address would give
the necessary clue to his identity. The request for evening clothes,
however, rather reassured him; evidently his first plunge into this
mystery was not to occur in any stratum of low society; no vast amount
of personal danger could be involved in such preliminaries. The truth
was, the note only increased his former interest in the case, and his
determination to probe more deeply into its mystery. So the advertiser
was a woman! This fact also stimulated his imagination, and rendered
him the more eager. By Jove! he would see the thing through!
His decision was reached, yet West, although still young and
adventurous, had received the rigorous training of the soldier, and
learned lessons of discretion. He would go, but would make every
effort to protect himself against any possible treachery. He had a room
at the Club, and wrote a letter or two before proceeding to dress,
arranging for their personal delivery in case he failed to return at a
designated time; carefully examined his service revolver, and deposited
it in the pocket of the business suit he decided to wear. Satisfied with
these arrangements, he dressed rapidly, and then packed his bag,
bearing it in his hand as he departed in ample time for the point of
rendezvous. A cab took him to the place designated, and he found
himself alone in a rather desolate spot, with which he was in no way
familiar. No doubt he had passed there again and again, as a boulevard
extended along one side of the small park, yet his memory retained no
clear recollection of the place. There were a few small stores opposite,
while the park itself was well kept, and populated almost entirely by
nursemaids, judging from the number of baby carriages trailing along

the walks. Back of the curb were a few benches, but West chose to
remain outside, depositing his bag in plain view of any one passing,
and then walked back and forth somewhat nervously. He was there
several minutes ahead of time, and compared his watch by a clock in a
church tower a block away. He had no knowledge of how he was to be
approached, or identified, but his being requested to bring a bag
containing evening clothes, somehow suggested riding, rather than
walking, and consequently his eyes followed more or less intently the
constant stream of automobiles.
He grew restless, and more doubtful as the moments slipped past.
Surely he could not have mistaken the place of appointment or the hour?
He glanced at the scene to again reassure himself. No, that was
impossible; the park name was plainly decipherable beside the entrance,
and his watch coincided exactly with the clock in the tower. He stood
beside his bag, staring up and down the boulevard, permitting his eyes
to occasionally wander to the scene within the enclosure. Nothing
rewarded his scrutiny. Then suddenly, without slightest warning, a
black limousine whirled in alongside the curb, and came to a stop
immediately in front