There was an instant's pause, then he said: "The hour is rather
unconventional; but if you will receive me, I'll have you tell me
about this matter privately and at once."
"By all means," she answered, eagerly. "I was about to beg of you to
come."
"In a half hour," said he, briefly. "Good-by."
He hung up the receiver and touched one of the buttons. When Stumph
came, he said:
"Turn the cold water into my bath. Then order the car in haste."
"Yes, sir."
"Afterwards you can lay out a rough suit, heavy shoes and a soft hat."
"Instantly, sir."
Within twenty minutes Ashton-Kirk ran down the steps and sprang into
the powerful looking car that awaited him; and well within the half
hour he rang the bell at the marble palace built by the steel magnate
during the last years of his life. A heavy-eyed man servant admitted
him with astonished resentment. Miss Vale, looking very tall and very
pale, met him in the hall. But for all her pallor she seemed quite
collected, even smiling.
"Oh, I'm so sorry to have brought you out so early and on such a
dismal morning," she said, lightly, leading him into a room at one
side. "I'm sure it is very damp."
She sat down and motioned him to a chair; he studied her with some
surprise; the transition from wild terror to her present calm was
most notable.
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