"She saw me; and, with a maliciously charming smile, nodded and went on. In the corridor I came on some friends and we talked awhile. Then I went up to my apartment, got your message, and telephoned to you."
"Don't do it again," he cautioned. "It was very dangerous."
They turned in at the Rataplan and drew up at the carriage entrance. Harleston helped Mrs. Clephane from the taxi and they passed into the Club-House.
He inquired of the doorman whether Mr. Carpenter was in, and another servant, who overheard the question, added that Mr. Carpenter was in the dining-room. Harleston and Mrs. Clephane went directly in and to a table next to Carpenter's. Three tables away were Madeline Spencer and Snodgrass.
Harleston nodded to Mrs. Spencer and to Snodgrass, then spoke to Carpenter and invited him over.
"I don't know if you will remember me, Mrs. Clephane," said Carpenter, coming across. "I met you several years ago in Paris."
"Yes, indeed, Mr. Carpenter, I remember you!" Mrs. Clephane replied.
"Anything?" Harleston asked, without moving his lips.
"Nothing. I was here when they arrived," Carpenter replied in the same manner--and went back to his table.
"Who is the woman with Harleston?" Snodgrass asked Mrs. Spencer. "I've never seen her."
"A Mrs. Clephane," Madeline Spencer replied. "She's very good-looking, isn't she?"
"I'm perfectly satisfied with the lady immediately in my fore," he smiled. "I don't run to blondes--"
"When you're with a brunette!" she smiled back.
"I don't run to anyone when I'm with you," he replied with quiet earnestness, leaning toward her across the table.
She shot him a knowing glance. Last night she had held him to strict propriety. Today in the taxi she had deliberately set herself to fascinate him, and had succeeded well. She had been demurely tantalizing--holding him at a distance, letting him come a little nearer, bringing him up sharply; all the tricks of the trade executed with a perfection of technic and a mastery of effect. Snodgrass, with all his experience, was but a novice in her hands; she always struck directly at the affections--got them: and then the rest was easy. She never lost her head, nor allowed her own affections to become involved; save only twice--and both those times she had failed. Snodgrass, she had learned through inquiries, had quite sufficient money to make him worth her while; moreover, he was such a big, good-natured, dependable chap--and a gentleman. If he had not been a gentleman he would not have attracted Madeline Spencer for an instant. She dealt only in gentlemen.