Page:The Master of Mysteries (1912).djvu/488

 let's see,—it was after A Run of Luck was put on. I was working on The Chameleon—that was when I first saw the Lady in Taupe."

"The Lady in Taupe!" Astro repeated the phrase with humor.

"That's what I called her. She always used to wear that color—'taupe,' you know a sort of purplish-gray, something like what they call 'London smoke,' only lighter. A gown with good lines, too. She always wore it, usually with black lynx furs."

"Where did you see her?"

"Everywhere; that's the funny part of it. This very day I saw her breakfasting at Mouquin's, at the next table. She's always near me. About two months ago she began. I say began, because it has happened too often to be accidental. She passed me in the street. Next day she stood on a corner waiting for a car. A mighty pretty girl, too—small head—you know how that makes a girl look taller and helps her figure; most women are built like dwarfs nowadays—deep brown eyes, a delicious mouth, and a touch of originality in her expression on account of a small scar on the left side of her chin. It's positively a beauty-spot, more like a dimple than a scar, and it crinkles up when she smiles. Well, I've run into her almost every day since then—and she's never moved an eyelash to show she recognized me. But she's up to something. She's always right in my way and never notices me. She's got me going, there's no doubt about that."

"Have you ever followed her?"

"Yes, I confess I've tried several times; but she has always given me the slip, or else I was clumsy."

"Well, what do you wish me to do about it?"