"I want you to take me to the casino to-night to the dance. I'm tired of being cooped up here. I want to hear music and see new faces."
"Do pardon me for not having thought of it before! They dance over there every Wednesday and Saturday night. I'm sorry that to-night I have an engagement, but won't you allow me on Saturday?"
She was resting her arms on the high sill, gazing out upon the lake. I stood near, watching her, and as she sighed deeply my heart ached for her; but in a moment she turned her head swiftly with mischief laughing in her eyes.
"You have really refused! You have positively declined! You plead another engagement! This is a place where one's engagements are burdensome."
"This one happens to be important."
She turned round with her back to the window.
"We are eternal foes; we are fighting it out to a finish; and it is better that way. But, Mr. Donovan, I haven't played all my cards yet."
"I look upon you as a resourceful person and I shall be prepared for the worst. Shall we say Saturday night for the dance?"
"No!" she exclaimed, tossing her head. "And let me have the satisfaction of telling you that I could not have gone with you to-night anyhow. Good-by."
I found Ijima ready with the launch at Glenarm pier, and, after a swift flight to the Tippecanoe, knocked at the door of Red Gate. Arthur Holbrook admitted me, and led the way to the room where, as his captive, I had first talked with him.