Surely it can do no harm for Captain West to accompany us ?" Coolidge exhibited no enthusiasm over the proposition; indeed West felt his response almost discourteous, yet this very suspicion aroused his own desire to make one of the party.

The fellow evidently disliked him instinctively, and would exert every influence possible to discredit him in the eyes of Natalie.

The suggestion even came that this sudden call to charity might prove only an effort on Coolidge's part to get the girl alone where she could be plainly talked to.

The man was not pleased with this new proposal, that was evident enough; but the niece unquestionably desired him to accept the invitation.

Not only her lips, but equally her eyes, pressed the matter, and West experienced no hesitancy in saying yes.
"Why, of course I will go," he returned heartily, "and I will be ready whenever you are." "About half an hour then." He retired to the room upstairs, partly for the purpose of exchanging his coat, but also half tempted to make a hasty examination of the valise which Coolidge had thoughtlessly left overnight in the closet.
The conception had already taken strong hold on his mind that his visitor of the evening before had been the mysterious impersonator of Natalie Coolidge; and that she had come there with some deliberate purpose--no-doubt a secret conference with Percival.