"And why, pray, should she bother changing her gown at a time like this? The one she had on was very--I mean to say, wasn't the one she had on becoming?"
This demand Mrs. Sturgis met with an increase of dignity. "We thought it might be necessary for her to go to Police Headquarters or whatever it is you call the place where one swears to complaints. I'll send her word to hurry if you wish."
Pape did wish. However, the sending of word to that effect proved unnecessary. Even as Mrs. Sturgis was crossing the room to ring for Jasper, Jane entered, dressed in a black and white checked skirt and loose white silk blouse. At sight of the caller she stopped short.
"Oh no, you won't, Miss Lauderdale--I believe?" Pape's advance had interrupted her ejaculation. "You're too much of a lady for that and far too good a sport to--to be in despair over your loss. The game is young yet and I am here to win it."
Although his tone was pompous, the eyes he fixed on her outraged expression were urgent, imploring.
Yet at the moment she did not look much as though she had dropped the note as summons No. 2. Twice her lips opened in angry hesitation. But her aunt interrupted before she actually spoke.
"I was just about to send Jasper up for you, my dear," she said. "Mind your nerves, now. This is an operative who has come over from The Arsenal to solve our mystery. Mr. Pope, Miss Lauderdale."
"Pape, you mean," Jane corrected, then bit her lip.
"Of course, I mean Pape. I am _so_ bad at names, Mr. Pape. Here I've been calling you Pope. But, Jane dear, how could you know?"
The ensuing slight pause was shattered by the soundless insistence of a pair of gray eyes addressing a pair of tropic blue: "Play my game. It's a good game. Why not--_why not_ play my game?"
Her compliance was brief and cold--but still compliance. With his wide smile Pape thanked and thanked her, triumphed over her, caressed her. Jane refused to smile back. But she did blush--slowly, deliciously, revealingly blushed. At that moment she looked, after all, as though she _had_ meant to drop the note. He wanted to accuse her of it and be sure.
But there was Mrs. Sturgis to be considered. Readjusting his expression into lines professional, he returned to the case.