Page:Arthur Stringer--The House of Intrigue.djvu/256

240 I gave a gasp of astonishment, of relief, as I stared down at them. For I recognized that little pile as my lost clothing, from shoes to hat and gloves. That ghost, whatever her motives, was at least a most obliging one.

I looked up and down the hall, wonderingly, trying to fathom what good angel could be ordering specters about on my behalf. But nothing was in sight. The house stood as gloomy and silent as a tomb. And the mystery of it all still hung close about me, like a harbor fog on a November night.

I caught up that welcome bundle, however, took the key from the outside of the door, and retreated within my guard-room, carefully locking myself in. Then I peeled off Copperhead Kate's ill-fitting apparel, kicked off the over-sized suede shoes, and thankfully and triumphantly donned my own humble duds. Then I took a deep breath, a breath of deliverance, shot through with gratitude, for whatever troubles or dangers might still await me before I once more made my way back to the world, I felt that I had a fresh grip on life, a forlorn rag or two of dignity which that frantic night had not altogether torn away from me.

But I did not linger to luxuriate in this feeling, since I was all the time being swayed by a much