CHAPTER XXVI
Changeling
AT DAWN Judith rose and bathed and dressed herself in negligee. In the adjoining room she could hear small, stealthy noises—the sounds made by her sister moving about and preparing against the unguessable moment when her rescue would be attempted, according to the information conveyed in that midnight message.
For, by chance, Judith had been in the recess of her darkened window when Alan edged out along the girder, on the building opposite. Judith recognized him at the moment when he was inditing his message, while grim death stalked him from behind.
She had seen him throw the watch and she had witnessed with wildly beating heart that duel in the air, unable to surmise its outcome only from the fact that the victor spared the life of the vanquished.
The infatuate chivalry of that man! …
A dozen emotions tore at her heart. She was estranged from her father. She was at odds with his creature, Marrophat, because she had repulsed his overtures at love-making. And the old con-
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