She shrugged her shoulders, drew the scarlet cloak more closely about her, and I left her gazing off into the strip of wood that lay close upon the inland side of the club-house. I was by no means sure of her, but there was no time for further parley. I dropped the blue cloak on a chair in a corner and hurried round to the door of the ball-room, meeting Rosalind and Gillespie coming out flushed with their dance.
"The hour of enchantment is almost past. I must have one turn before the princess goes back to her castle!"—and Rosalind took my arm.
"Meet me at the landing in two minutes, Gillespie! As a special favor—as a particular kindness—I shall allow you to take the princess home!" And I hurried Rosalind away, regained the blue cloak, and flung it about her.
"Well," she said, drawing the hood over her head, "who am I, anyhow!"
"Don't ask me such questions! I'm afraid to say."
"I like your air of business. You are undoubtedly a man of action!"
"I thank you for the word. I'm breathing hard. I have seen ghosts and communed with dragons. She's here! your alter ego is on this very veranda more angry than it is well for a woman to be."
"Oh," she faltered, "she found out and followed?"
"She did; she undoubtedly did!"
As we paused under one of the veranda lamps she looked down at the cloak and laughed.