Kate had been thinking rapidly. "I have seen her once before, auntie. I
am positive she is in some way connected with Mr. Walcott, and equally
positive that he has some evil designs against papa; but why she should
warn me against him, if that is her intention, I cannot imagine."
"Is there no way of warning your father, Katherine?" Mrs. Dean inquired,
anxiously.
"Mr. Britton and I have talked it over, auntie. We think papa suspects
him and is watching him, but so long as he doesn't take either of us
into his confidence we don't want to excite or worry him by suggesting
any danger. This woman may or may not be friendly, as she claims, but in
any event, if she comes again, I must see her. Whatever danger there may
be I want to know it; then I'm not afraid but that I can defend papa or
myself in case of trouble."
For several days Kate scanned her horizon closely for portents of the
coming storm. She saw nothing of the mysterious woman who had styled
herself a friend, but on more than one occasion she had a fleeting
glimpse of the man who on that memorable day brought the message from
her to Walcott, and Kate felt that a dénouement of some kind was near.
Walcott's preparations were nearly perfected; another week would
complete them. By that time the funds of the firm as well as large
deposits held in trust, would be where he could lay his fingers on them
at a moment's notice. At a given signal two trusted agents would be at
the side entrance with fleet horses on which they would travel to a
neighboring village, and there, where their appearance would excite no
suspicion, they were to board the late express, which would carry them
to a point whence they could easily reach a place of safety.
But his well-laid plans were suddenly checked by a request one afternoon
from his senior partner to meet him in his private office that evening
at eight o'clock. The tone in which this request was preferred aroused
Walcott's suspicions that an investigation might be pending, and,
enraged at being thus checkmated, he determined to strike at once.
At dinner Mr. Underwood mentioned an engagement which would, he said,
detain him for an hour or so that evening, but having never since his
illness gone to the offices in the evening, no one supposed it more than
an ordinary business appointment with some friend.
He had left the house only a few moments when a caller was announced for
Miss Underwood.
Kate's heart gave a sudden bound as, on entering the reception-hall, she
saw again the woman whose coming was to be a warning of danger. She was,
as usual, dressed in black and heavily veiled. Kate was conscious of no
fear; rather a joy that the suspense was over, that there was at last
something definite and tangible to face.