She had been reading,
evidently aloud and when her visitor was announced rose with her finger
still keeping the place in the closed book.
The gaze she turned on him was of surprise, almost of alarm, so that the
man on the threshold knew he was not expected.
"You received my card?" he asked quickly.
"No. Did you send one?" Then, with a little gesture of half-laughing
irritation: "It must have gone to Mr. Harvey again. He is Mr. Harley's
private secretary, and ever since we arrived it has been a comedy of
errors. The hotel force refuses to differentiate."
"I must ask you to accept my regrets for an unintentional intrusion, Mrs.
Harley. When I was told to come up, I could not guess that my card had gone
amiss."
The great financier had got to his feet and now came forward with extended
hand.
"Nevertheless we are glad to see you, Mr. Ridgway, and to get the
opportunity to express our thanks for all that you have done for us."
The cool fingers of the younger man touched his lightly before they met
those of his wife.
"Yes, we are very glad, indeed, to see you, Mr.
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