"No. I was going to suggest that you should return. I think I can quite safely assure you that there will be no recurrence of the threats."
"Because I think the woman who has been making them is now in my hands. I will bring her to the apartment a little later in the morning so that your daughter may identify her. Will eleven o'clock suit you?"
"Then I will come at that hour. Good-by." He hung up the receiver and turned to speak to Grace. His eyes, however, sought the figure of Miss Norman. She had not anticipated his quick scrutiny, and had for the moment ceased to be on her guard. Duvall smiled to himself. The theory which the spots of sealing wax had suggested had in that moment received an unexpected confirmation.
Ruth Morton had received a fearful shock the evening before, but by the morning she had recovered from the immediate effects of it, although she still felt extremely weak.
When Duvall and his little party arrived at the apartment on Fifty-seventh Street, they were received in the library by Mrs. Morton.
She greeted both Grace and Duvall cordially, but it was evident, from her manner, that she found the presence of the Norman woman and Miss Ford highly distasteful to her.
Duvall drew her to one side, leaving the two women in charge of Leary and Grace.
"How is your daughter now, Mrs. Morton?" he asked.
"Yes. She is expecting you. Come this way, please. She is occupying my room at present. She still has a fear of the other one--the one she formerly used."
"I see. But she need not have it now. There will be no further trouble." He followed Mrs. Morton into her bedroom.
Ruth, looking very haggard and white, was sitting in an easy chair by the window. Duvall was amazed to note how terribly the shock of the night before had affected her.
"How do you do, Miss Morton," he said, offering his hand. "I am glad to find you almost yourself again."
"Thank you, Mr. Duvall. I am much better. I understand that you have found out who has been causing me all this trouble."
"I think I have. But before I go ahead I want you to give me a little assistance. Do you think you would know the woman who came to your rooms last night, in case you should see her again?"
"I--I don't know. I do not think I saw her face. It was all so very sudden----"