I inclined to the latter theory,
but the object of such a deception was more difficult to
determine.
Sure enough, a taxicab was waiting at the entrance to the court;
and my visitor, having seated herself within, extended her hand
to me, and even through the thick veil I could detect her
brilliant smile.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Knox," she said, "and a thousand
apologies. I am sincerely sorry to have given you all this
trouble."
The cab drove off. For a moment I stood looking after it, in a
state of dreamy incertitude, then turned and slowly retraced my
steps. Reopening the door of my chambers with my key, I returned
to my study and sat down at the table to endeavour to arrange the
facts of what I recognized to be a really amazing episode. The
adventure, trifling though it seemed, undoubtedly held some
hidden significance that at present was not apparent to me. In
accordance with the excellent custom of my friend, Paul Harley, I
prepared to make notes of the occurrence while the facts were
still fresh in my memory. At the moment that I was about to
begin, I made an astounding discovery.
Although I had been absent only a few minutes, and had locked my
door behind me, the pigtail was gone!
I sat quite still, listening intently.
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