Quite naturally, Constance observed, her neighbor had hosts of
friends who often came early and stayed late, friends who seemed to
exude, as it were, an air of prosperity and high living. Clearly,
she was a woman to cultivate. Constance felt even more interest in
her, now that Mrs. LeMar had pursued a bowing acquaintance to the
point of an unsolicited invitation.

"A friendly little game," she speculated. "What IS the game?"

That night found Constance at the buzzer beside the heavy mahogany
door across the hall. She wore a new evening gown of warm red. Her
face glowed with heightened color, and her nerves were on the qui
vive for the unlocking at last of the mystery of the fascinating
Mrs. LeMar.

"So glad to see you, my dear," smiled Bella, holding out her hand
engagingly. "You are just in time."

Already several of the guests had arrived. There was an air of
bonhomie as Bella presented them to Constance--a stocky, red-faced
man with a wide chest and narrow waist, Ross Watson; a tall,
sloping-shouldered man who inclined his head forward earnestly when
he talked to a lady and spoke with animation, Haddon Halsey; and a
fair-haired, baby-blue eyed little woman gowned in becoming pink,
Mrs. Lansing Noble.

"Now we're all here--just enough for a game," remarked Bella in a
business-like tone. "Oh, I beg pardon--you play, Mrs. Dunlap?" she
added to Constance.