Part 92

"The rooms aren't so bad," said Elaine, looking around.

"We each have a bed, and a bureau, and a wash-stand, and a couple of chairs, a few chromos, a rug on the floor--and bars at the window."

"I noticed the bars," said Davila.

Elaine crossed to her wash-stand.

"They've provided us with water, so we may as well use it," she said. "I think my face needs--Heavens! what a sight I am!"

"Haven't you observed the same sight in me?" Davila asked. "I've lost all my puffs, I know--and so have you--and your hat is a trifle awry."

"Since we're not trying to make an impression, I reckon it doesn't matter!" laughed Elaine. "We will have ample opportunity to put them to rights before Colin and Geoffrey see us."

She took off her hat, pressed her hair into shape, replaced a few pins, dashed water on her face, and washed her hands.

"Now," she said, going into the other room where Miss Carrington was doing likewise, "if I only had a powder-rag, I'd feel dressed."

Davila turned, and, taking a little book, from the pocket of her coat, extended it.

"Here is some Papier Poudre," she said.

"You blessed thing!" Elaine exclaimed, and, tearing out a sheet, she rubbed it over her face. "Is my nose shiny?" she ended.

A door opened and a young girl appeared, wearing apron and cap.

"The ladies are served!" she announced.

The two looked at each other and laughed.

"This is quite some style!" Davila commented.

"It is, indeed!" said Elaine as she saw the table, with its candles and silver (plated, to be sure), dainty china, and pressed glass.

"If the food is in keeping, I think we can get along for a few days. We may as well enjoy it while it lasts."

Davila smiled. "You always were of a philosophic mind."

"It's the easiest way."

She might have added, that it was the only way she knew--her wealth having made all roads easy to her.

The meal finished, they went back to their apartment, to find the bed turned down for the night, and certain lingerie, which they were without, laid out for them.

"Better and better!" exclaimed Elaine. "You might think this was a hotel."

"Until you tried to go out."

"We haven't tried, yet--wait until morning." A pack of cards was on the table. "See how thoughtful they are! Come, I'll play you Camden for a cent a point."

"I can't understand what their move is?" said Davila, presently. "What can they hope to accomplish by abducting us--or me, at any rate. It seems they don't want anything from us."

"I make it, that they hope to extort something, from a third party, through us--by holding us prisoners."

"Captain Carrington has no money--it can't be he," said Davila, "and yet, why else should they seize me?"