West rose to his feet, comprehending her full meaning, yet unwilling to yield his position without further explanation.
"Your words are certainly plain enough," he said slowly, "yet I trust I may be pardoned if I ask a question or so."
"Is it necessary?"
"Perhaps not, but I feel my curiosity is justified. You told me a rather remarkable story and requested my aid in the solving of a strange mystery. Now you abruptly dismiss me from that service. Do you mean the mystery is already solved without my further assistance?"
"I am convinced there was no mystery; that it was only imagination, Captain West. My calling you was a mistake."
"Percival Coolidge assures you of this?"
"Positively; we have discussed it from every angle, and all that appeared mysterious has been made clear."
"There is no one else impersonating you?"
"No."
"The checks at the bank; the strange person using your name; all these were myths?"
She laughed.
"Of course. I really believed all I said to you at the time, but everything has been explained since, and I realize how very foolish I have been. Uncle Percival has been very nice about it. He simply didn't understand before how worried I was."
"No doubt. You sent for me then merely to say I was dismissed?"
"Yes."
"And you told Coolidge, of course, how I came to be here?"
"Yes."
"And the others? What will they think?"
"Why, that can make no difference. They can be told that you were suddenly called away. Let them suppose we had a quarrel, and that our engagement is broken," and she laughed again, evidently vastly amused at the idea.
"But you, personally?" he insisted.
She sobered instantly, also rising, and facing him.
"Captain West, let us be sensible. I invited you here for a certain purpose. You were employed as much as any of my other servants. Is that a sufficient answer?"
"It certainly is. I will depart at once."
"Thank you. The limousine will be at the door. You will return to the Club, I presume?"
"Temporarily, until other arrangements are made."
He bowed and left her standing there in the shadows, the expression of her face veiled, but there seemed no response, no softening in the rigid attitude of her figure. She did not care; was only interested in his immediate departure. The change had occurred with such abruptness, West was unable as yet to realize its full significance, but, with no attempt to combat her decision, left the room, closing the door behind him. In that moment his mood changed. The dismissal had been so curt, his pride rose in rebellion. Finding Sexton in the front hall, he addressed him crisply.