It took about ten seconds for that idea to grow from nothingness into full flower. For perhaps five seconds longer Merriam inwardly contemplated its unique beauty. Then he said:
"I'll do it!"
CHAPTER VI
STAGE-SETTING
Alicia gave him no time for reconsideration or after-thoughts.
"Good!" she cried, "I was sure you would."
She was on her feet in an instant, and as he got to his she held out her hand. Merriam took it--to shake hands on their bargain was his thought. But Alicia never exactly shook hands. She touched or pressed or squeezed according to circumstances. On this occasion it was a warm, clinging squeeze. Her other hand patted Merriam's shoulder.
"I was sure you would," she repeated. "No Man"--again the capital letter was unmistakable--"could have resisted--the--the opportunity."
The curtain at the door was lifted, and Philip Rockwell's voice said: "May I come in? The twenty minutes are up."
They were. Just up. Alicia had done her part in exactly the fraction of an hour she had given herself. No vaudeville act could have been more precisely timed.