Page:Under three flags; a story of mystery (IA underthreeflagss00tayliala).pdf/131

 "And the hour?"

"Ten in the morning."

"Thank you. I will be prompt."

Ashley leaves the box humming a lively air and proceeds to look up his friend Barker.

"Busy, old man?" he asks, when he has finally located the detective.

"Not especially? Why?"

"Do you see that woman in black in yonder box, talking with a swarthy-looking gentleman?"

"I do."

"That is 'Isabel Winthrop.'"

"The devil!"

"No; but perhaps one of his satanic highness' amiable representatives. I have an interview arranged with her for to-morrow at 10; place the Kensington. I want you to follow her when she leaves the Garden and keep an eye on her until 10 o'clock to-morrow morning. If I do not hear from you before that hour I shall consider that she has made the engagement in good faith. I have a big day's work to-morrow, and I believe I will go home and turn in."

"All right, Jack, my boy. I will keep her ladyship in view if she leads me to China. So long."

CHAPTER XXIII.

A REPRISAL OF TREACHERY.

"Don't be absurd, Don Manada."

"Absurd? Dios! I was never more thoroughly in earnest in my life."

"Nevertheless, you are absurd," Isabel Harding smiles tantalizingly over her champagne glass at the flushed face and glistening eyes of her companion.

This conversation occurs shortly after midnight at an