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Updated: June 29, 2025
"Let me tell you, Mr. Keith has never said a word against you to me and that is much more than I can say for you; so you need not be maligning him now." A faint flush stole into Wickersham's face. "You appear to be championing his cause very warmly." "Because he is a friend of mine and an honorable gentleman." He gave a hard, bitter laugh. "Women are innocent!"
"I shall confine myself hereafter to breakfast and lunch-except when I receive invitations to Mrs. Wickersham's." he added. Mrs. Lancaster was on the other side of Keith; so he found the dinner much pleasanter than he had expected. She soon fell to talking of Lois, a subject which Keith found very agreeable. "You know, she is staying with Louise Wentworth?
A smile that was a plea for sympathy flickered in her eyes. Wickersham's mind had been busy. This explained the change in Louise Wentworth's manner of late ever since he had made the bold declaration of his intention to conquer her. Another idea suggested itself. Could the girl be jealous of his attentions to Mrs. Wentworth? He had had women play such a part; but none was like this girl.
"I have a piece of important work on hand this evening," he said, "of a private and delicate nature." The detective's look was acquiescent. "Could I get Dennison?" "I think so." Keith stated his case. At the mention of Wickersham's name a slight change the very slightest flickered across the detective's calm face. Keith could not tell whether it was mere surprise or whether it was gratification.
But Ferdy Wickersham had no idea of returning to New Leeds. He found New York quite interesting enough for him about this time. The breach between Norman and his wife had grown of late. Gossip divided the honors between them, and some said it was on Ferdy Wickersham's account; others declared that it was Mrs. Lancaster who had come between them.
"They are due on the second." Few men had ever said "I want you to" to Dexter Allison and, as he put it, "gotten away with it to any great extent." And of all nights this one in particular was the least likely to prove propitious for such an attempt. That was Wickersham's oversight. "So!" said Dexter, "so! Well, now for your reason."
He did what he could to soothe her, and having made a promise to call upon her, he bade her good-by, happily ignorant of the interpretation which she who had suddenly sprung uppermost in his thoughts had, upon Wickersham's instigation, put upon his action. Keith walked home with a feeling to which he had been long a stranger. He was somehow happier than he had been in years.
For a bare moment he was in a sort of maze. Then the expression in her face dispelled it. She held out her hand, and he clasped it; and before he had withdrawn his eyes from hers, he knew that his peace was made, and Mrs. Wickersham's drawing-room had become another place. This, then, was what Alice Lancaster meant when she spoke of the peacemakers.
When he saw who it was he sprang to his feet, his face changing slightly. Just then one of the clerks followed Keith. As Keith, however, spoke quietly, Wickersham's expression changed, and the next second he had recovered his composure and with it his insolence. "To what do I owe the honor of this unexpected visit?" he demanded, with a curl of his lip.
"We had to do it," said Mr. Plume, without stating the price. Wickersham swore. "He won't do it till he gets the cash," pursued Plume. "But I'll be responsible for him," he added quickly, noting the change in Wickersham's expression. Again Wickersham swore; and Plume changed the subject. "How'd you come out?" he asked. "When what do you mean?" Plume jerked his thumb over his shoulder.
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