“Then kindly tell me how my key came into your possession?” Mr. Hamlin inquired, in chilling, even tones.  Bab shivered.

“I found it,” Bab answered lamely, having it in mind to tell the whole strange story of last night’s experience.  But she was too frightened by Mr. Hamlin’s manner and by the fear that she would be regarded as a telltale by Harriet.  If Mr. Hamlin’s own daughter had not considered her guest’s actions unusual, it was not exactly Bab’s place to report them.  So she remained silent, and her host also turned away in silence.

Harriet did not come home until just before dinner time.  She told the “Automobile Girls” she had spent a delightful day, but her behavior was unusual.  She looked frightened, though at the same time happier than she had seemed since the hour she had received the first threatening letter from her dressmaker.

Peter Dillon had walked home with Harriet.  Barbara, who happened to be standing at the front window, saw them stop to talk for a moment at the door before Peter said good-bye.  Peter was making himself very charming to Harriet.  He was talking to her in his half laughing, half earnest fashion in the very manner that had seemed so attractive to Bab, too, at first.  But it was a manner she had learned later on to distrust and even to fear.

When Harriet parted from Peter Dillon she nodded her head emphatically and apparently made him a promise, and Barbara saw Peter look back at her with a peculiar smile as she ascended the steps.

CHAPTER XIX

HARRIET IN DANGER

Harriet Hamlin was restless and nervous all the next day.  Even Mr. Hamlin, noticing his daughter’s nervous manner at luncheon, suggested that she take her friends out to pay some calls.  So Bab put forth her plea that she wished to make another visit to the home of the Chinese minister.  As the girls had not yet paid their luncheon call at the embassy Harriet agreed to take them to see Wee Tu.  Before she left the house Harriet called up her dressmaker and had a long confidential talk with her over the telephone.  She seemed in better spirits afterwards.

The Chinese minister’s wife, Lady Tu, was receiving.  As there were no men in the drawing-room, her daughter, Wee Tu, sat among the young girls as quiet and demure as a picture on a fan.

Bab managed to persuade the little girl into a corner to have a quiet chat with her.  But Miss Wee Tu was difficult to draw out.  Across the room, Harriet Hamlin chanced to mention the name of Peter Dillon.  At once the little Chinese girl’s expression changed.  The change was very slight.  Hardly a shade of emotion crossed her unexpressive, Oriental face, but curious Barbara was watching for that very change.  She remembered the young girl had been affected by Peter’s appearance during their former visit.

“Do you like Mr. Dillon?” inquired Bab.  She had no excuse for her question except her own wilful curiosity.