"UNKNOWN"
"So sweet of you to see me, Miss Carwell, in all your grief, and I must apologize for troubling you."Miss Tighe, alias Morocco Kate, fairly gushed out the words as she extended a hand to Viola in the library.The first glance at the "large blonde," as the maid had described her, shocked the girl.She could hardly repress a shudder of disgust as she looked at the bleached hair.But, nerving herself for the effort, Viola let her hand rest limply for a moment in the warm moist grip of Miss Tighe.
"Won't you sit down?" asked Viola.
"Thank you.I won't detain you long.I called merely on business, though I suppose you think I'm not a very business-like looking person.But I am strictly business, all the way through," and she tittered."I find it pays better to really dress the part," she added.
"I was so sorry to hear about your dear father's death.I knew him - quite well I may say - he was very good to me.""Yes," murmured Viola, and somehow her heart was beating strangely.What did it all mean? Who was this - this impossible person who claimed business relations, yes, even friendliness, with the late Mr.Carwell?
"And now to tell you what I came for," went on Miss Tighe."Your dear father - and in his death I feel that I have lost a very dear friend and adviser - your dear father purchased many valuable books of me.I sell only the rarest and most expensive bindings, chiefly full morocco.Your father was very fond of books, wasn't he?"Viola could not help admitting it, as far as purchasing expensive, if unread, editions was concerned.The library shelves testified to this.
"Yes, indeed, he just loved them, and he was always glad when I brought his attention to a new set, my dear Miss Carwell.Well, that is what I came about now.Just before his terrible death - it was terrible, wasn't it?Oh, I feel so sorry for you," and she dabbed a much-perfumedhandkerchief to her eyes."Just before his lamented death he bought a lovely white morocco set of the Arabian Nights from me.Forty volumes, unexpurgated, my dear.Mind you that - unexpurgated!" and Morocco Kate seemed to dwell on this with relish."As I say, he bought a lovely set from me.It was the most expensive set I ever sold - forty-five hundred dollars.""Forty-five hundred dollars for a set of books!" exclaimed Viola, in unaffected wonder.
"Oh, my dear, that is nothing.These were some books," and she winked understandingly.
"It isn't everybody who could get them! The edition was limited.But I happened on a set and I knew your father wanted them, so I got them for him.He made the first payment, and then he died - I read it in the papers.Naturally I didn't want to bother you while the terrible affair was so fresh, so I waited.And now I'm here!"She seemed to be - very much so, as she settled herself back in the big leather chair, and made sure that her hair was properly fluffed around her much-powdered face.
"You are here to - " faltered Viola."To get the balance for the books- that's it, dear Miss Carwell.Naturally I'm not in for my health, and of course I don't publish books myself.I'm only a poor business woman, and I work on commission.The firm likes have all contracts cleaned up, but in this case they didn't press matters, knowing Mr.Carwell was all right; or, if he wasn't, his estate was.I've sold him many a choice and rare book - books you don't see in every library, my dear.Of course there were - ahem - some you wouldn't care to read, and I can't say I care much about 'em myself.A good French novel is all right, I say, but some of`em well, you know!" and she winked boldly, and dabbed her face with the handkerchief which was quickly filling the room with an overpowering odor.
"You mean my father owes you money?" faltered Viola.
"Well, not me, exactly - the firm.But I don't mind telling you I get my rake-off.I have to so I can live.The balance is only three thousand dollars, and if you could give me a check - ""Excuse me," interrupted Viola, "but I have nothing to do with the business end of my father's affairs.""You're his daughter, aren't you?" "Yes.""And you'll get all his property?" Morocco Kate was getting vindictive now.
"I cannot discuss that with you," said Viola, simply."All matters of business are attended to at the office.You will have to see Mr.Blossom." "Huh!LeGrand Blossom!No use seeing him.I've tried.But I'lltry again, and say you sent me." The voice was back to its original dulcet tones now."That's what I'll do, my dear Miss Carwell.I'll tell LeGrand Blossom you sent me.He needn't think he can play fast and loose with me as he has.If he doesn't want to pay this bill, contracted by your father in the regular way - and I must say he was very nice to me - well, there are other ways of collecting.I haven't told all I know.""What do you mean?" demanded Viola hotly."Oh, there's time enough to tell later," was the answer."I haven't been in the rare edition business for nothing, nor just for my health.But wait until I see LeGrand Blossom.Then I may call on you again!" And with this rather veiled threat Morocco Kate took her leave.
"What horrible person was that?" asked Miss Mary Carwell, who met Viola in the hail after her visitor's departure."She was positively vulgar, I should say, though I didn't see her.""Oh, she was just a book agent.I sent her to Mr.Blossom." "To Mr.Blossom, my dear!I didn't know he was literary.""Neither was this person, Aunt Mary.I think I shall go and lie down.I have a headache."And as she locked herself in her room shed bitter tears on her pillow.Who was this person who seemed to know Mr.Carwell so well, who boasted of how "good" he was to her? Why did Colonel Ashley want to gain all the information he could about her?
"Oh, what does it all mean?" asked Viola in shrinking terror."Is there to be some terrible - some horrible scandal?"She put the question to Colonel Ashley a little later.
"Who is this woman?"
The colonel considered a moment before replying.Then, with a shrewd look at Viola, he replied:
