stood by the curb, a figure brushed by her and a paper was deftly
slipped inside her hand.

Barbara wheeled about abruptly. She stood alone, except for several
elaborately dressed women and their companions some yards away who
were indulging in noisy talk as they hurried along. At that moment
the McIntyre limousine stopped at the curb and the chauffeur opened
the door.

"Take me home, Harris," she ordered. "And then come back for Mrs.
Brewster and father. I don't feel well - hurry."

"Very good, miss," and touching his cap the chauffeur swung his car
up Fifteenth Street.

The limousine had turned into Massachusetts Avenue before Barbara
switched on the electric lamp in the car and opened the note so
mysteriously given to her. She read feverishly the few lines it
contained

Dear Helen:
The coroner will call an inquest. Secrete letter "B."

The note was unsigned but it was in the handwriting of Philip
Rochester.


CHAPTER VII

THE RED SEAL