CHAPTER V
WEST WINS THE FIRST HAND
The newcomer stood at the edge of the front steps, and paused long enoughto light a cigarette before descending. His features were as clear cut asthough done in marble, and about as expressive. To all outwardappearances, the man was cold, emotionless, selfish egotism written onevery feature. For the first time, in the glare of the bright morninglight, West took stock of the fellow, and realized his true nature.Instinctively he felt that here was the particular antagonist he was tobe pitted against. Whatever might be the truth as to a strange woman,this man must be the controlling factor in any conspiracy. His companionmust have sensed the same fact, for she swiftly drew back beneath theshadow of the vines.
"You meet him," she whispered, "alone. I would rather he did not find ustogether."
"But can you escape unseen?"
"Yes, under cover of the hedge. But be very careful what you say."
She had vanished before he could interpose, slipping away so noiselessly,he was scarcely aware of her swift action. His eyes followed the moredeliberate movements of the man, who slowly descended the broad steps,pausing when once on the gravelled walk to glance curiously back at thehouse. West thought his interest centred on the open window of the roomhe had occupied, but this was merely a conjecture, for the delay was butfor a moment; shortly after Coolidge strolled on directly toward thesummer-house, the blue smoke of the cigarette marking his progress. Weststepped carelessly forth from the concealment of the vines, watchful forany change of expression on the face of the other. There was none, noteven a look of surprise, or a tightening of the lip.
"Ah! Captain," he said easily, tossing his stub aside, and drawing forthhis case for another. "Glorious air this morning; the advantage of earlyrising; you indulge, I presume?"
"An army habit, I mean to do away with later. Thanks. I suppose breakfastis not ready?"
"Hardly yet," glancing about inquiringly. "My niece is usually out hereat this hour, which accounts for my venturing forth. She is not here?"
"Not now, although there are evidences that she has been," indicatingthe gloves and pruning shears visible beside the walk. "We must havearrived too late."
"So it seems. You came with the same purpose, no doubt?"
"If you mean the hope of encountering Natalie, your guess is correct. Shewould not give me a word last night, and has even overturned my plansthis morning. Does she play hide and seek with you also?"
"Does she! One never knows what she will do. But this last escapade isthe strangest of all."
"You refer to our engagement?"
"Assuredly; I had no warning, no conception of such a thing."
"Do you mean, sir, that she had never consulted you? never even mentionedme to you before?"
"Exactly. You are aware of who I am, I presume? the position I holdrelative to her property?"
"Certainly; you are her uncle and guardian. Under the terms of the willyou remain in full control until she is twenty-five, now almost at hand,except for an annual income payable to her monthly. Is not that thesituation?"
"You have apparently made very careful inquiry," he commented with aperceptible sneer. "No doubt this was a matter of deep interest to you."
"Of some interest, I confess," acknowledged West, controlling his temper."Although my information has not come from inquiry. Miss Natalie was kindenough to talk to me about her affairs, presupposing my interest in them.However, I assure you, I have no personal ambition along this line."
"Indeed; not fortune-hunting then?"
"Far from it," good humouredly, but keenly aware that he was touchingCoolidge. "My family is far from poverty stricken, and I have a very goodprofession. It is quite right you should know this."
"What profession, may I ask?"
"Civil Engineer."
"But not established, I imagine?"
"I had very good connections before the war. Since returning from France,I have made no effort to renew these, or seek others. I, of course,expect to do so later, and shall be in no way dependent upon MissCoolidge's fortune."
"Although quite willing to share it, I presume?"
"I think you have insinuated that often enough," returned West, at lastfully aroused by the insolent words and manner of the other. "Perhaps itmay be well for us to have a plain understanding without further delay,Mr. Percival Coolidge. My engagement to Miss Natalie may be sudden andunexpected--perhaps not altogether pleasant from your standpoint--yet ithardly warrants you in thus attributing to me mercenary motives. As amatter of fact, I was not aware until last evening that she was anheiress to considerable property. I knew nothing of her relationships. Iwill say, however, that now I feel perfectly justified in showing aninterest in her affairs. As I understand matters, you are her guardianunder the special provisions of your brother's will?"
"You are perfectly right, sir, and I should have been consulted previousto this engagement." Coolidge said with dignity. "Even now it is subjectto my approval."
"I think not. Your guardianship was merely a special provision of thewill, with reference to the estate. So I understand, at least. Attwenty-one, she became mistress of her own personal affairs, and nolonger needed to consult you."
"I controlled her income."
"Only the surplus; a certain sum was to be paid her each month until shewas twenty-five; then the entire estate came into her possession. Beyondthis you exercised no legal authority."
"You seem well posted."
"The lady herself informed me as to these facts."
"Since yesterday?"
"Yes, since yesterday."
"Where, may I ask?"
"In the summer-house here, a few moments ago."
Coolidge gave utterance to an oath, which burst from his lips before itcould be wholly restrained.
"Damn you! just what is your game?" he exclaimed roughly, forgetting hispose. "Are you trying to get your nose into my affairs?"
"Most certainly not," returned West coolly, yet facing the other with asteady eye. "I can have no possible interest in your affairs. But I maybe led to investigate those of Miss Coolidge, if she should so request.It seems she possesses no one to represent her at present--not even thefamily lawyer."
"What do you imply by that remark?"
"That she has gone to you, and to the attorney, who represents theestate, relative to some very strange occurrences of late, only to belaughed at. No effort has been made to relieve her anxiety."
"You mean that fool story about some one else pretending to be her?"
"It cannot altogether be a fool story when this mysterious party passesforged checks at the bank."
"There was only one; that means nothing; the girl isn't using good sense.So this is the stuff she is filling you up with? And you proposeinvestigating her wild imaginings, hey? By Gad, you are going to have aninteresting time."
"I hope so; at least I am hoping to discover some truth."
"Good. I wish you well," and his tone was one of decided relief. "Youradventures ought to prove quite amusing."
Coolidge laughed heartily, the whole affair apparently taking on a newaspect, now that he felt he comprehended the real purpose of the other.
"Oh, by the way, West, you must pardon me if I send Sexton into your roomfor a valise I left there. You see I occupied that suite until you came."
"Oh, indeed," surprised, "I noticed no other grip there."
"It is in the closet. That has always been my room whenever I visithere. I do not know why Natalie decided to change me this time--naturallywished to reserve the best for you, I presume."
"Very kind of her, I am sure. There is Sexton now."
"Which means breakfast is served. Shall we go in?"
The two men walked slowly up the gravelled path, leading to the sidedoor. West's thoughts were busy with this new discovery. Had heinadvertently stumbled upon a clue? So he had occupied the room usuallyreserved for Percival Coolidge. Perhaps here was the explanation of thecoming of his strange visitor. If
so, then it was already clearly evidentthat whatever the plot might be, this fellow had a hand in it. Westglanced aside at the face of his unconscious companion, deciding quicklyto venture a chance shot.
"Were you expecting a caller last night?" he asked calmly.
Coolidge wheeled about, startled out of his self-control.
"A caller! Of course not. What put that in your head?"
"Because I had one, in that room you say you always occupied. Thevisitor vanished as soon as I was seen, and the thought occurred to mejust now that you might have been the one sought."
"Perfectly absurd, West. You must have had a night-mare. What did shelook like?"
"Oh, I only had a glimpse in the moon-light; resembled a ghost more thananything else."
"And just about what it was," with a laugh of relief. "Some dream youbetter forget about. Come along; they are waiting on us."
They passed up the steps together; and into the pleasant breakfast room,where the remainder of the company were already gathered. Coolidge wasagain perfectly at his ease, genially greeting the guests, and hadapparently already dismissed the incident from his mind. Evidently evenWest did not consider it of any serious importance; he had clearly enoughnot recognized the intruder, and either decided the whole affair a freakof imagination, or else, at the worst, some midnight escapade of aservant. But West's mind had in reality settled on a point which Coolidgeoverlooked. He had gained the very information desired. He had carefullyrefrained from even suggesting the sex of his mysterious visitor.Percival Coolidge knew, without being told, that the caller was a woman.Then he also knew who that woman was.