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THE HOUSE OF INTRIGUE

you have designated it. It is, on the contrary, a movement that is essentially benevolent—essentially benevolent."

"That's what I've been waiting to hear about," I told him, staring around the room. They were no pikers, the people who'd furnished that room. It had a Belasco stage-setting all to the Cammenbert. And if she didn't peter out as one went upward, that mansion was sure the abode of some fine old mahogany and teak-wood!

My guide waved me into a chair. I made myself comfortable, watching him as he scratched his bony forehead with the tip of his forefinger. He was getting ready, apparently, for his high dive.

"You are an intelligent girl," he said, speaking now, as he had done before, in a carefully lowered voice. "I saw that, at the first glance. And I also saw that you were a girl who could be trusted. So I might say that the most difficult part of your work, to-night, will simply be keeping your mouth shut."

"I thank you for those kind words," I said, clearly puzzling him a little by my careless grin. "And I guess I understand about keeping the lid on. But I'd like to understand about the side-lines."

"You mean about what you are expected to do?"