Norcross moved uncomfortably. “I hope that time will prove you right,” he said. “It may be that Barclay knew this Ito in the Orient, and the Jap is blackmailing him for some past indiscretion, which has nothing to do with Tilghman’s death.”
“I believe you are right!” Ethel drew a long breath, hope had returned to her. She sprang to her feet. “How can I thank you?”
“By getting back your old, gay smile,” he exclaimed coloring, and speaking lightly to conceal his emotion. “There, that’s better,” as Ethel flashed him a grateful look and a smile. “I hope you will always come to me to solve your problems.”
“I will, I will,” she promised fervently. “I want to speak to you about a—” the entrance of Walter Ogden interrupted her.
“I’ve been looking all over for you, Norcross,” he said, not seeing Ethel, who had retired to one of the windows as he came in the doorway. “Jane wants you in the dining room; something is wrong with the decorations, and she thinks you can advise her.”
“Surely, I will come at once. Will you excuse me, Miss Ogden?” bowing toward Ethel, and Ogden wheeled about.
“I didn’t know you were downstairs, Ethel,” he exclaimed. “Coming with us?” holding back the portières as he spoke.
“Not just this minute,” Ethel stepped inside one of the deep window recesses. “I want to cool off.”
“Cool off?” Ogden’s voice expressed his astonishment. “All right,” and he followed Professor Norcross with somewhat mixed feelings. Had he interrupted a flirtation? A flirtation with the professor—Ogden had some difficulty suppressing a chuckle.
Ethel had spoken on the impulse of the moment. She wanted to be by herself; Norcross had given her food for thought. Blackmail, ah, that would explain Barclay’s surprising interview with the Jap. What more likely than that Ito, a fugitive from justice, had applied to Barclay for funds with which to escape from the country? He probably had bled Barclay before. As for the indiscretion—if Barclay had remained any time in the East, he might have become involved in some political entanglement.