Without another word, the pretended Mrs. Ansel mounted the steps and rang the bell. Nick followed her up leisurely.
The door was opened promptly by a large, stalwart woman dressed as a servant.
To this person the pretended Mrs. Ansel said:
“Mrs. Ansel and Mr. Nicholas Carter, to see the person named on this.”
She handed a small slip of paper to the servant.
The servant closed the door and ushered them into the parlor, going out into another part of the house.
She was back again in a few moments to say that the lady of the house was engaged for the present, but would see them shortly.
Nick said to himself:
“All this is well done, but what is the game?”
In the meantime the pretended Mrs. Ansel showed every evidence of the natural nervousness that a woman placed in the position she pretended to be in might show.