Keith turned again toward the stairs, only to observe a woman slowly cross the office and commence the ascent.

She was in the shadow, her face even more deeply shaded by her hat, yet he stared at her in amazement--surely, it was Miss Maclaire! Yet how could it be?
He had left that person scarcely five minutes before in "26," and this stairway was the only exit.

His hand grasped the rail, his heart throbbing strangely, as a suspicion of the truth crossed his brain.

Could this be Hope?
Could it be that she was here also?
As her foot touched the landing, she saw him, her eyes lighting up suddenly in recognition, a wave of color flooding her cheeks.
"Why, Captain Keith," she exclaimed, extending her gloved hand frankly, "you have been to my room, and were going away.

I am so glad I came in time." "I hardly thought to meet you," he replied, retaining her fingers in his grasp.