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 pose to impress us or not as carelessness at all but complete confidence. Hardly confidence in us but in the situation which enveloped us.

The girl at the desk gave absolutely no suggestion of guarding us or even watching us with particular concern. To be sure, a telephone transmitter was only a few inches from her lips and on the desk top were rows of ivory buttons suggestive of power to summon others instantly.

Probably I could not escape if I tried; and the thought of trying seemed not even to enter Helen Lacey's head. She ignored the attendant's invitation to be seated and stood gazing impatiently at the inner door through which, after a few minutes, another girl appeared and informed us;

"Mr. Cawder will see you."

We followed her through a large office, lighted but deserted, where several desks denoted the presence, at business hours, of a dozen men, probably, and as many more stenographers. Our reception at evening obviously did not mean that this office operated