"In the summer-house here, a few moments ago."
Coolidge gave utterance to an oath, which burst from his lips before it could be wholly restrained.
"Damn you! just what is your game?" he exclaimed roughly, forgetting his pose. "Are you trying to get your nose into my affairs?"
"Most certainly not," returned West coolly, yet facing the other with a steady eye. "I can have no possible interest in your affairs. But I may be led to investigate those of Miss Coolidge, if she should so request. It seems she possesses no one to represent her at present—not even the family lawyer."
"What do you imply by that remark?"
"That she has gone to you, and to the attorney, who represents the estate, relative to some very strange occurrences of late, only to be laughed at. No effort has been made to relieve her anxiety."
"You mean that fool story about some one else pretending to be her?"
"It cannot altogether be a fool story when this mysterious party passes forged checks at the bank."
"There was only one; that means nothing; the girl isn't using good sense. So this is the stuff she is filling you up with? And you propose investigating her wild imaginings, hey? By Gad, you are going to have an interesting time."
"I hope so; at least I am hoping to discover some truth."