Pulling the catch of the leaded glass window, which opened inward, Ethel peeped outside. The cold air was refreshing, and she filled her lungs with it.
A wide balcony ran by the window, and leaning farther out, Ethel was startled at seeing a man standing at the end overlooking the street. He moved slightly and by the light shining through the drawing room windows Ethel recognized Barclay. Quickly she drew back into the library and closed the window.
Barclay might have heard the faint noise the window catch made falling into place, but his attention was centered on James Patterson who stood at the corner just under the arc light talking to a man. They were too far away for Barclay to distinguish a word of their conversation, but that it was animated Patterson’s gestures indicated. At last Patterson moved toward the Ogden residence, and his companion lifted his hat in farewell, and the arc light fell full upon Yoshida Ito.
Dumbfounded, Barclay continued to stare at the little Japanese, and before he had collected his wits, Ito had disappeared. He was not so much surprised at the Jap’s unexpected appearance, but to find him in Patterson’s company took his breath away. He had gone out on the balcony to smoke a cigarette uninterrupted, but when he reëntered the drawing room through the long French window, his cigarette was still unlighted.
Barclay found the drawing room deserted, and he was about to go into the library when the entrance of James Patterson stopped him. The two men stared at each other for a prolonged moment.
“This is better luck than I expected,” said Patterson. “I have wanted to see you alone for some time.”
“Your ambition might have been attained before, if you had let me know you wished to see me,” replied Barclay sarcastically, and Patterson stiffened.
“I am not so sure of that,” he rejoined swiftly. “Your manner has led me to believe that you desire to avoid me—as in the station at Atlanta.”
“You flatter yourself,” Barclay laughed easily, then his voice deepened. “Now, sir, that you do see me, what do you wish?”
“That you leave town at once.”