“Then, I judge you have not accepted me blindly?”

“No, I have not,” earnestly, and now releasing her hand.  “I do not think we ever really know any one except through personal intercourse; but I do know who you are, and something of what your life thus far has been.  It was two days after I received your answer before I replied to it.  This time was devoted exclusively to making me somewhat better acquainted with my correspondent.”

“But how could you?  I signed no name.”

She smiled, again quite at her ease.

“The box number at the Club was amply sufficient.  I have friends there; once possessed of your name and army rank, the department records at Washington furnished all further information.  A Senator kindly attended to that end, and was also able to supply a little additional gossip through one of his Southern colleagues.  So you perceive, Captain, I am not altogether reckless.  Are you interested in learning what I know?”

“I am; both from records and gossip.  Will you tell me?”

“Willingly,” and she checked the points off on her gloved fingers.  “You are Matthew West, the only son of Judge Robert Peel West, of Atlanta, Georgia.  Your mother, who was of the well-known Bullock family, died when you were about fifteen, and her widowed sister has since been the house-keeper.  You are a graduate of the university of Virginia, being fourth in your class in Scholarship.  Your engineering course was completed in Massachusetts, and you later became connected with the Wyant Contracting Company, of Chicago.  You were here, however, only a very brief time, making but few acquaintances, when the War broke out.  You immediately entered the first officers’ training school at Fort Sheridan, graduating with the rank of First Lieutenant, and were assigned to a regiment of Engineers, among the earliest to sail for France.  While there you were wounded twice, and cited once for special gallantry in the rescue of a seriously injured private.  Your last wound caused your return to the United States on a special mission, and also won you the rank of Captain.  Since then you have been honourably discharged, but have made no effort to resume professional work.  You are twenty-six, and unmarried.  Is there anything else you care to know?”

“I think not; really your agency has been most efficient.  Could you tell me also if I have ever been in love?”

“In love!  Really I made no inquiries, as that did not interest me in the least.  I am prepared to be confessed to, however, if you feel it necessary.”

“I may have to confess later.  Just now it might be better to let matters remain as they are.  And so this review satisfied you that I was really the man you sought?”

“No, it did not wholly satisfy, but it looked promising.  You were evidently courageous, and a gentleman.  These qualities were essential; whether in other respects you measured up to my purpose, could only be ascertained through a personal interview.  There was no other way.”