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〃Take it into Mr。 Kent's office and put it on his desk。〃
There was that about Colonel McIntyre which inspired complete
obedience to his wishes； and Sylvester followed his directions without
further question。
As the clerk stepped into Kent's office McIntyre saw a woman sitting
by the empty desk。 She turned her head on hearing footsteps and their
glances met。 A faint exclamation broke from her。
〃Margaret！〃 McIntyre strode past Sylvester。 〃What are you doing
here？〃
Mrs。 Brewster's ready laugh hid all sign of embarrassment。 〃Must
you know？〃 she asked archly。 〃That is hardly fair to Barbara。〃
〃So Barbara sent you here with a message！〃 Mrs。 Brewster treated
his remark as a statement and not a question； and briskly changed the
subject。
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〃I can't wait any longer；〃 she pouted。 〃Please tell Mr。 Kent that I am
sorry not to have seen him。〃
〃I will； madam。〃 Sylvester placed McIntyre's card in the center of
Kent's desk and flew to open the door for Mrs。 Brewster。
As the widow stepped into the corridor she brushed by an over…dressed
woman； whose cheap finery gave clear indication of her tastes。 Hardly
noticing another's presence she turned and took McIntyre's arm and they
strolled off together； her soft laugh floating back to where Mrs。 Sylvester
stood talking to her husband。
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CHAPTER XIII
THE FACE AT THE WINDOW
Harry Kent rang the doorbell at the McIntyre residence for the fifth
time； and wondered what had become of the faithful Grimes； the butler
was usually the soul of promptness； and to keep a caller waiting on the
doorstep would； in his category； rank as the height of impropriety。 As
Kent again raised his hand toward the bell； the door swung open suddenly
and Barbara beckoned to him to come inside。
〃The bell is out of order；〃 she explained。 〃I saw you from the
window。 Hurry； and Grimes won't know that you are here；〃 and she
darted ahead of him into the reception room。 Kent followed more slowly；
he was hurt that she had had no other greeting for him。
〃Babs； aren't you glad to see me？〃 he asked wistfully。
For an instant her eyes were lighted by her old sunny smile。
〃You know I am；〃 she whispered softly。 As his arms closed around
her and their lips met in a tender kiss she added fervently； 〃Oh； Harry； why
didn't you make me marry you in the happy bygone days？〃
〃I asked you often enough；〃 he declared。
〃Will you go with me to Rockville at once？〃 Her face changed and
she drew back from him。 〃No；〃 she said。 〃It is selfish of me to think of
my own happiness now。〃
〃How about mine？〃 demanded Kent with warmth。 〃If you won't
consider yourself； consider me。〃
〃I do。〃 She looked out of the window to conceal sudden blinding
tears。 There was a hint of hidden tragedy in her lovely face which went
to Kent's heart。
〃Sweetheart；〃 his voice was very tender； 〃is there nothing I can do for
you？〃
〃Nothing；〃 she shook her head drearily。 〃This family must 'dree its
weir。'
Kent studied her in silence； that she was in deadly earnest he
recognized； she was no hysterical fool or given to sentimental twaddle。
〃You came to me on Wednesday to ask my aid in solving Jimmie
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Turnbull's death；〃 he said。 〃I have learned certain facts …〃
Barbara sprang to her feet。 〃Wait；〃 she cautioned。 〃Let me close
the door。 Now； go on …〃 with her customary impetuosity she reseated
herself。
〃Before I do so； I must tell you； Babs； that I recognized the fraud you
and Helen perpetrated at the coroner's inquest yesterday afternoon。〃
〃Fraud？〃
〃Yes；〃 quietly。 〃I am aware that you impersonated Helen on the
witness stand and vice versa。 You took a frightful risk。〃
〃I don't see why；〃 she protested。 〃In my testimony I told nothing but
the truth。〃
〃I never doubted you told the truth regarding the events of Monday
night as you saw them； but the coroner's questions were put to you under
the impression that you were Helen。〃 Kent scrutinized her keenly。
〃Would Helen have been able to give the same answers that you did
without perjuring herself？〃
Barbara started and her face paled。 〃Are you insinuating that Helen
killed Jimmie？〃 she cried。
〃No；〃 his emphatic denial was prompt。 〃But I do believe that she
knows more of what transpired Monday night than she is willing to admit。
Is that not so； Barbara？〃
〃Yes；〃 she acknowledged reluctantly。
〃Does she know who poisoned Jimmie？〃
〃No … no！〃 Barbara rested a firm hand on his shoulder。 〃I swear
Helen does not know。 You must believe me； Harry。〃
〃She may not know；〃 Kent spoke slowly。 〃But are you sure she does
not suspect some one？〃
〃Well； what if I do？〃 asked Helen quietly； and Kent； looking around；
found her standing just inside the door。 Her entrance had been noiseless。
〃You should tell the authorities； Helen。〃 Kent rose as she passed him
and selected a seat which brought her face somewhat in shadow。 〃If you
do not you may retard justice。〃
〃But if I speak I may involve the innocent；〃 she retorted。 〃I …〃 her
eyes shifted from him to Barbara and back again。 〃I cannot undertake
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that responsibility。〃
〃Better that than let the guilty escape through your silence；〃 protested
Kent。 〃Possibly the theories of the police may coincide with yours。
〃What are they？〃 asked Barbara impetuously。
Kent considered before replying。 If Detective Ferguson had gone so
far as to secure a search warrant to go through Ro