There was a knock at the outer door. Camilla answered it and received a note from the clerk.
"From Mr. Wray's office. There's no answer."
She opened it hurriedly, while Rita watched.
"Dear Camilla" (it ran): "I'm leaving suddenly by the early train for Denver on a business matter which to me means either life or death. For the love of God don't leave me now. Wait until I return. I'm going to the Brown Palace Hotel and will write you from there.
"JEFF."
She read through the hurried scrawl twice and then silently handed it to her companion.
"You must follow, Camilla—at once—with me," said Mrs. Cheyne.
CHAPTER XXIV
GRETCHEN DECIDES
Lawrence Berkely was doing scout duty in the neighborhood of the seat of war, keeping closely in touch with Wray by wire code. Although he had a room at the Brown Palace Hotel, he went elsewhere for his meals, and since the arrival of General Bent's party he had eluded the detection of Cornelius Bent, Curtis Janney, or Cortland. He had been advised by a brief wire from Gretchen Janney of the date of her departure from New York and had noted the arrival of his business enemies with mingled feelings. In response to his note to her room Gretchen had stolen away and met him quietly in one of the hotel parlors, where, unknown to Curtis Janney, they had renewed their vows of eternal fidelity.