Chapter 1
_ CHAPTER I
Billy Deering let himself into his father‘s house near Radford Hills, Westchester County, and with a nod to Briggs, who came into the hall to take his hat and coat, began turning over the letters that lay on the table.
"Mr. Hood has arrived, sir," the servant announced. "I put him in the south guest-room."
Deering lifted his head with a jerk. "Hood--what Hood?"
"Mr. Hood is all I know, sir. He said he was expected--you had asked him for the night. If there‘s a mistake----"
Deering reached for his hat and coat, which Briggs still held. His face whitened, and the outstretched hand shook visibly. Briggs eyed him with grave concern, then took a step toward the stairway.
"If you wish, sir----"
"Never mind, Briggs," Deering snapped. "It‘s all right. I‘d forgotten I had a guest coming； that‘s all."
He opened a letter with assumed carelessness and held it before his eyes until the door closed upon Briggs. Then his jaws tightened. He struck his hands

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