“Merciful heavens!” gasped Montgomery, gazing as one transfixed at the living and breathing counterfeit of himself.
He recoiled, brushing a hand across his forehead.
His eyes wandered to Chick.
“Cooper,” he cried, “what does this mean?”
“I’ll tell you what it means, Montgomery,” answered Nick, sternly. “Go up to your study. Cooper will go with you, and I will join you both in a few moments.”
As one in a dream Montgomery turned and entered the house.
He walked up the stairs, Chick close behind him.
When they had passed from sight, Nick turned to Louise Lansing, who was standing in the parlor doorway with distended eyes.
“Is—is it really you, Mr. Carter?” she queried.
“Yes.”