"Yet I must confess, I am now becoming quite reconciled." She sat up suddenly, with eyes searching his face.
"What do you mean by that ?" "Perhaps I ought not to say," he answered boldly.

"Yet circumstances seemingly justify frankness between us.

I mean that I feel far more deeply interested in the final outcome of this affair today than I did yesterday--it means more to me." "Indeed! Why ?" "Largely, I imagine, because I am privileged to know you much better.
That naturally makes a difference." "Does it indeed?
You imply then an increased interest in myself as an individual brings with it a greater desire to serve me ?" "Assuredly, yes." "Then you render my task doubly hard," she said soberly, yet with a certain hardness in the tone.

"I had not suspected any personal side whatever.

You were a total stranger to me, Captain West, and I employed you in this matter merely in a business way, as--as--a detective.