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place was surrounded. There was no one in the house at the time to save Cowperwood and
Aileen. She did not know Cowperwood by his name, nor Aileen by hers. They were a Mr. and
Mrs. Montague to her.
"I don't know anybody by that name," she replied nervously.
"Isn't there a girl here with red hair?" asked one of Alderson's assistants. "And a man with a
gray suit and a light-brown mustache? They came in here half an hour ago. You remember
them, don't you?"
"There's just one couple in the house, but I'm not sure whether they're the ones you want. I'll
ask them to come down if you wish. Oh, I wish you wouldn't make any disturbance. This is
terrible."
"We'll not make any disturbance," replied Alderson, "if you don't. Just you be quiet. We merely
want to see the girl and take her away. Now, you stay where you are. What room are they in?"
"In the second one in the rear up-stairs. Won't you let me go, though? It will be so much better.
I'll just tap and ask them to come out."
"No. We'll tend to that. You stay where you are. You're not going to get into any trouble. You
just stay where you are," insisted Alderson.
He motioned to Butler, who, however, now that he had embarked on his grim task, was thinking
that he had made a mistake. What good would it do him to force his way in and make her come
out, unless he intended to kill Cowperwood? If she were made to come down here, that would
be enough. She would then know that he knew all. He did not care to quarrel with Cowperwood,
in any public way, he now decided. He was afraid to. He was afraid of himself.
"Let her go," he said grimly, doggedly referring to Mrs. Davis, "But watch her. Tell the girl to
come down-stairs to me."
Mrs. Davis, realizing on the moment that this was some family tragedy, and hoping in an
agonized way that she could slip out of it peacefully, started upstairs at once with Alderson and
his assistants who were close at his heels. Reaching the door of the room occupied by
Cowperwood and Aileen, she tapped lightly. At the time Aileen and Cowperwood were sitting in
a big arm-chair. At the first knock Aileen blanched and leaped to her feet. Usually not nervous,
to-day, for some reason, she anticipated trouble. Cowperwood's eyes instantly hardened.
"Don't be nervous," he said, "no doubt it's only the servant. I'll go."
He started, but Aileen interfered. "Wait," she said. Somewhat reassured, she went to the closet,
and taking down a dressing-gown, slipped it on. Meanwhile the tap came again. Then she went
to the door and opened it the least bit.
"Mrs. Montague," exclaimed Mrs. Davis, in an obviously nervous, forced voice, "there's a
gentleman downstairs who wishes to see you."
"A gentleman to see me!" exclaimed Aileen, astonished and paling. "Are you sure?"
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