Page:Arthur Stringer--The House of Intrigue.djvu/180

168 she protested with vigor. But she flung her black waist down beside the black hat on the chair.

I was outside of my flesh-colored nightie in one wriggle. And the next minute I had the satisfaction of beholding Copperhead Kate step sullenly out of her skirt.

It surprised me a little, to see her fall into line that easy. But I had no time to ask questions. I wanted to get away from that house, and get away in a hurry.

"Now climb into this night-dress," I commanded as I pounced on that precious pile of clothing and backed away until two-thirds of the room stood between us. For it's no easy thing to get into a skirt and handle an automatic at the same time.

But neither of us spoke until the last snap was done up. And a big wave of confidence came back to me as I felt that apparel once more about me, whether it fitted or not. It left me almost light-hearted.

"Now come and go by-by!" was my triumphant command to Copperhead Kate, as I backed away toward the door and unlocked it. But every moment of the time I kept my eye on that green-eyed lady with the undulatory body movements.

"You'll pay for this," she said very quietly, as I