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〃Gave up nothing；〃 retorted her sister。 〃He and Margaret Brewster
are going。〃
〃What！〃 Helen was on her feet。 〃You let them go out alone
together？〃
〃They can't be alone if they are together；〃 answered Barbara
practically。 〃Don't be silly； Helen。〃
Helen did not answer at once； she had grown singularly pale。 Walking
over to the window she glanced into the street。 〃The car hasn't come；〃 she
exclaimed； and consulted her wrist watch。 〃Hurry； Babs； you have just；
time to dress and go with them。〃
〃B…b…but I said I wouldn't go；〃 stuttered Barbara； completely taken by
surprise。
〃No matter； tell father you have changed your mind。〃 Helen held out
her hand。 〃Come； to please me；〃 and there was a world of wistful appeal in
her hazel eyes which Barbara was unable to resist。
It was not until Barbara had completed her hasty toilet and a frantic
dash downstairs in time to spring into the waiting limousine after Margaret
Brewster； that she realized she had put on one of Helen's evening gowns
and not her own。
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Benjamin Clymer was standing in the vestibule of the Saratoga； where
he made his home； when the McIntyre limousine drew up； and he did not
keep them waiting； as Colonel McIntyre had predicted he would on the
drive to Clymer's apartment house。
〃The clerk gave me your message when I came in； McIntyre；〃 he
explained as the car drove off。 I called up your residence and Grimes
said you were on the way here。〃
Barbara； tucked away in her corner of the limousine； listened to Mrs。
Brewster's animated chatter with utter lack of interest； she wished most
heartily that she had not been over…persuaded by her sister； and had
remained at home。 That her father had accepted her lame explanation
and her presence in the party with unaffected pleasure had been plain。
Mrs。 Brewster； after a quiet inquiry regarding her health； had been less
enthusiastic in her welcome。 Barbara was just stifling a yawn when the
limousine stopped at the entrance to the Caf St。 Marks。
Inside the caf all was light and gaiety； and Barbara brightened
perceptibly as the attentive head waiter ushered them to the table Colonel
McIntyre had reserved earlier in the evening。
〃It's a novel idea turning the old church into a caf ；〃 Barbara remarked
to Benjamin Clymer。 〃A sort of casting bread upon the waters of
famished Washington。 I wonder if they ever turn water into wine？〃
〃No such luck；〃 groaned Clymer dismally； looking with distaste at the
sparkling grape juice being poured into the erstwhile champagne goblet by
his plate。 〃The caf is crowded to…night；〃 and he gazed with interest about
the room。 Colonel McIntyre； who had loitered behind to speak to several
friends at an adjacent table； took the unoccupied seat by Mrs。 Brewster
and was soon in animated conversation with the widow and Clymer；
Barbara； her healthy appetite asserting itself； devoted her entire attention
to the delicious delicacies placed before her。 The arrival of the after…the…
theater crowd awoke her from her abstraction； and she accepted Clymer's
invitation to dance with alacrity。 When they returned to the table she
discovered that Margaret Brewster and her father had also joined the
dancers。
Barbara watched them while keeping up a disjointed conversation with
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THE RED SEAL
Clymer； whose absentminded remarks finally drew Barbara's attention；
and she wondered what had come over the generally entertaining banker。
It was on the tip of her tongue to ask him the reason for his distrait manner
when her thoughts were diverted by his next remark。
〃Your father and Mrs。 Brewster make a fine couple；〃 he said。 〃Colonel
McIntyre is the most distinguished looking man in the caf and Mrs。
Brewster is a regular beauty。〃
Instead of replying Barbara turned in her seat and scanned her father
as he and Mrs。 Brewster passed them in the dance。 Colonel McIntyre did
not look his age of forty…seven years。 His hair； prematurely gray； had a
most attractive wave to it； and his erect and finely proportioned figure
showed to advantage in his well…cut dress suit。 Barbara's heart swelled
with pride … her dear and handsome father！ Then she transferred her
regard to Margaret Brewster； she had been such a satisfactory friend … why
oh； why did she wish to become her step…mother？ The twins； with the
unerring instinct of womanhood； had decided ten days before that Weller's
warning to his son was timely … Mrs。 Brewster was a most dangerous
widow。
〃How is your sister？〃 inquired Clymer； breaking the silence which had
lasted nearly five minutes。 He was never quite certain which twin he was
talking to； and generally solved the problem by familiarizing himself with
their mode of dress。 The plan had not always worked as the twins had a
bewildering habit of exchanging clothes； to the enjoyment of Barbara's
mischief loving soul； and the mystification of their numerous admirers。
〃She is rather blue and depressed；〃 answered Barbara。 〃We are both
feeling the reaction from the shock of Jimmie Turnbull's tragic death。
You must forgive me if I am a bore； I am not good company to…night。〃
The arrival of the head waiter at their table interrupted Clymer's reply。
〃This gentleman desires to speak to you a moment； Miss McIntyre；〃 he
said； and indicated a young man in a sack suit standing just back of him。
〃I'm Parker of the Post；〃 the reporter introduced himself with a bow
which included Clymer。 〃May I sit down？〃 laying his hand on the back
of Mrs。 Brewster's vacant chair。
〃Surely； and won't you have an ice？〃 Barbara's hospitable instincts
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were aroused。 〃Here； waiter …〃
〃No； thanks； I haven't time；〃 protested Parker； slipping into the chair。
〃I just came from your house； Miss McIntyre； the butler said I might find
you here； and as it was rather important； I took the liberty of introducing
myself。 We plan to run a story； featuring the dangers of masquerading in
society； and of course it hinges on the death of Mr。 Turnbull。 I'm sorry〃 …
he apologized as he saw Barbara wince。 〃I realize the topic is one to
make you feel badly； but I promise to ask only few questions。〃 His smile
was very engaging and Barbara's resentment receded somewhat。
〃What are they？〃 she asked。
〃Did you recognize Mr。 Turnbull in his burglar's make…up when you
confronted him in the police court？〃 Parker drew out copy paper and a
pencil； and waited for her reply。 There was a pause。
〃I did not recognize Mr。 Turnbull in court；〃 she stated finally。 〃His
death was a frightful shock。〃
〃Sure。 It was to everybody；〃 agreed Parker。 〃How about your sister；
Mi