CHAPTER VI
UNTANGLING THREADS
The morning meal proved delightfully informal, Natalie gracefullypresiding, and apparently in the highest spirits. West found his placereserved on her right with Miss Willis next, and, between the two, waskept extremely busy. The Colonel sat directly across the table, withPercival Coolidge just beyond the hostess. No intimation of anythingwrong burdened those present, the single servant silently performing hisduties to the constant laughing chatter of those about the table. EvenCoolidge, somewhat distant at first, yielded finally to the prevailinghumour, and joined freely in the conversation. This turned at last to theplans for the day, revealing a variety of desires, which Natalie arrangedto gratify. The Colonel and two of the ladies expressed an inclination toattend church, the limousine being offered them for the purpose. Othersdecided on a match with the racquets, while Coolidge, rather to thesurprise of the lady, suggested that Natalie accompany him into the cityon a special errand of mercy. At first, amid the ceaseless clatter oftongues, West was unable to grasp the nature of his plea, or her reply,but finally overheard enough to arouse his personal interest, especiallywhen his own name was mentioned in the discussion.
"I was not aware you ever concerned yourself in such matters," she saidsoberly. "Is this a particular case?"
"Decidedly so; the man before he died, was in my employ, but I did notlearn until late yesterday of the condition in which his family was left.I understand something must be done for them at once. You are alwaysinterested in such cases, so I supposed you would accompany me gladly. Itis extremely disagreeable duty for me."
"It must be attended to today?"
"The case is very urgent I am told."
"But how can I leave my guests--especially Captain West?"
West leaned forward.
"Do not hesitate on my account. I can easily amuse myself; or, if thereis room, and it is not disagreeable to Mr. Coolidge, I might enjoy beingof the party."
"Why, of course," she coincided eagerly. "Why couldn't he come along?There will be plenty of room if I operate the car. It is a case ofdestitution of which Uncle Percival has just learned--a widow and threechildren actually suffering. Surely it can do no harm for Captain West toaccompany us?"
Coolidge exhibited no enthusiasm over the proposition; indeed West felthis response almost discourteous, yet this very suspicion aroused hisown desire to make one of the party. The fellow evidently disliked himinstinctively, and would exert every influence possible to discredithim in the eyes of Natalie. The suggestion even came that this suddencall to charity might prove only an effort on Coolidge's part to getthe girl alone where she could be plainly talked to. The man was notpleased with this new proposal, that was evident enough; but the nieceunquestionably desired him to accept the invitation. Not only her lips,but equally her eyes, pressed the matter, and West experienced nohesitancy in saying yes.
"Why, of course I will go," he returned heartily, "and I will be readywhenever you are."
"About half an hour then."
He retired to the room upstairs, partly for the purpose of exchanginghis coat, but also half tempted to make a hasty examination of thevalise which Coolidge had thoughtlessly left overnight in the closet.The conception had already taken strong hold on his mind that hisvisitor of the evening before had been the mysterious impersonator ofNatalie Coolidge; and that she had come there with some deliberatepurpose--no-doubt a secret conference with Percival. If her resemblanceto the mistress of the house was as remarkable as he had been led tobelieve, her entrance to the place would be comparatively easy ofaccomplishment, and the danger of discovery correspondingly small. Itnever occurred to him to question Natalie's story. To be sure there weredetails he found it difficult to fully accept as true, but the girlcertainly believed all she had told him. She denied earnestly havingbeen the one invading his room, and he believed her implicitly; yet theperson who had visited him was so closely her image as to make it stillseem almost an impossibility that she could be a separate individual.Nothing less than Natalie's own word would have brought conviction. Andthis person had supposed she was visiting the apartment occupied byPercival Coolidge. This was the only satisfactory explanation of herpresence there; whether she came that night for the first time, or as asupplement to other similar visits, it was unquestionably Coolidgewhom she sought.
For what purpose? To West's mind only one object appeared probable. Theman was too far advanced in life--certainly much above sixty from hisappearance--to be involved in a love affair with so young and attractivea woman. Moreover in such a case she would scarcely seek him out here inthis private home, where he was merely a transient guest; he would neverventure to use a place like this as a rendezvous. That was unthinkable.Some other purpose, demanding immediate attention, must furnish thereason for her venturing to enter this house at such an hour, and comingdirectly to the room where she supposed Coolidge to be sleeping. ToWest's mind there could be but one answer. The two were mutually involvedin a conspiracy of some nature, undoubtedly connected with theapproaching settlement of the Coolidge estate. This girl, so strangelyresembling Natalie, had in some way been discovered by the schemingguardian, who was now using her for his own selfish ends. The plot hadbeen carefully perfected, and the time must now be near for execution.This girl had been selected, and trained to act a part--the part ofNatalie Coolidge. Her ability to deceive had been tested in variousways. Now the moment approached when they were ready to play out the realgame. Yet the nature of that game was in no way apparent. He could onlykeep quiet, and wait for some further development, even appearindifferent, while he secretly watched every suspicious movement ofPercival Coolidge.
It was not at all probable the satchel contained any incriminatingevidence, yet the temptation was strong to obtain, if possible, a hastyglance at the contents. But for this he was already too late, scarcelyreaching the room indeed, before Sexton appeared, announcing his mission.West, perched on the arm of a chair, smoking, and watched the man bringforth the valise, and start toward the door.
"Coolidge tells me he usually occupied this room," he ventured curiously,"How did it happen I was put in here?"
Sexton paused, and faced about respectfully.
"It was upon orders from Miss Natalie, sir. But she did not mention thechange in time to remove the bag. The truth is, I forgot, sir, that itwas here."
"Oh, I see; this is not the grip he usually travels with then?"
"No, sir; this was sent down in advance, sir. Mr. Percival Coolidge ishere quite frequently."
"Naturally. As I understand he has no home of his own?"
"No, sir; he was never married, sir. In the city he stops at one ofthe big hotels. Of late he quite frequently spends the end of the weekout here, sir. Of course he is deeply interested in the prosperity ofthe estate."
"As the guardian of Miss Natalie, you mean?"
"Just so, sir."
"How long have you been here, Sexton?"
"Sixteen years, sir."
"You knew Miss Natalie's father then, and must enjoy the place toremain so long?"
"It has been very pleasant, sir, until the last month or so,"regretfully, yet evidently glad of the opportunity to talk, lingeringwith one hand on the knob of the door. "Since then things haven't beenjust the same."
"In what way?"
"Well, I don't exactly know, sir. Miss Natalie seems to change her mind,an' we never can please her. That's the trouble mostly. Last night Iwaited up until you all went to bed, an' then locked the house, the wayshe told me to. But that didn't suit her at all, for she stopped me onthe stairs, an' made me go back an' leave the side door unlocked--justsaid she'd attend to that herself."
"Miss Natalie told you? You are sure, Sexton?"
"Oh, it was her, sir; there was a light burning in the hall, an' she wasall dressed up as though she was goin' out. 'Taint the first time,either. I ain't got no right to say anything, but it puzzles me what shewants to go out for at that time o' night. And I thought maybe I ought t
ospeak to Mr. Percival Coolidge about it."
"No. I wouldn't, Sexton," said West quietly. "It would likely enough onlyget you into trouble. Probably she cannot sleep well, and so walks in thegarden. Anyway this is none of our business, my man. Where are MissNatalie's apartments?"
"In the other wing, sir; the first door beyond the head of the stairs."
"And the door you were asked to leave open?"
"At the farther end of the hall."
As West made no further effort to continue the conversation, but began tocarelessly roll a cigarette, Sexton slipped silently through the opening,the valise in his hand, and closed the door behind him. West touched amatch to the cigarette, scarcely aware of the action.
This attempt to dig information out of a servant was not a pleasantexperience, yet he felt that in this case it was fully justified. To besure he had gained little, yet that little helped to clear away the fog,and sustain the girl's theory that she was being impersonated by anothereven to her own servants. If West had retained any lingering doubt as towhat had occurred the previous night, this doubt had entirely vanished inthe face of Sexton's testimony. His visitor, and the one who had orderedthe servant to leave the side door unlocked, had been the same--notNatalie Coolidge, but strangely resembling her. Whoever she was, she knewthe house well, and possessed some means of entrance. Whatever else herpurpose might be, one object was clearly connected with the presencethere of Percival. She had sought his room, fleeing immediately ondiscovering it to be occupied by another. Very well! this meant that healready had two distinct lines of investigation opened to him--the woman,and the man. The first was like pursuing a shadow, but Coolidge was realenough. He determined to keep in touch with the fellow, confident that hewould thus be eventually led to a discovery of his companion. Beyond allquestion, they were involved in the same scheme of conspiracy. West haddeliberately arrived at this conclusion, rather pleased at his success,when a gentle knock sounded at the door.
"What is it?"
"Sexton, sir. Miss Natalie has the car at the door, and is waiting foryou."
"All right. I will be down immediately."