Helene’s helplessness only fanned the flames of her inward fury at the brazen intent of the girl.  She forgot about Jack and even her plans about Reginald Warren.  But Shirley’s purpose was now rewarded, for Pinkie acted as the magnet to draw over several of the gilded youths whom they had met the day before.  More introductions followed, and additional refreshments were soon gracing the table.  Shine Taylor was the next to join the party, and erelong the waited-for visitor was approaching them.  His eyes were upon Shirley from the instant that he entered the room:  he advanced directly toward their table with a certainty which proved to Monty that method was in every move.

“What a pleasant surprise, little Bonbon!” exclaimed this gentleman as he drew up to their table.  “I’m so glad.  I was afraid you wouldn’t get home safely with Grimsby; he was so absolutely overcome last night.  He promised to bring you to my little entertainment but didn’t show up.  What became of him?”

“Join us in a drink and forget him,” suggested Helene, as she took his hand with an innocently stupid smile.  “This is Mr. Shirley, Mr.—­Mr.—­I had so much champagne last night I forgot your name.”

“Warren, that’s simple enough.  Glad to see you, Mr. Sherwood, oh, Shirley!  It seems as though I had heard your name—­aren’t you an actor, or an artist?  A musician, or something like that?  My memory is so miserable.”

“I’m just a ‘something like that,’ not even an actor,” was the answer, as the tiniest of nudges registered Helene’s appreciation.  “What is your favorite poison?”

Warren gave him a startled look, and then laughed:  “Oh, you mean to drink?  Now you must join me for I am the intruder.”  He drew out a roll of money; more nice, new hundred dollar bills.  Shirley remembered that old Van Cleft had drawn several thousand dollars from his office the night of the murder.  Even his trained stoicism rebelled at thought of drinking a cocktail bought with this bloody currency!

“You didn’t tell me about Grimsby?” persisted Warren, turning to Helene, with an admiring scrutiny of the girl’s charms.  “I’m rather interested.”

“You’ll have to ask him, not me.  After we took a taxi from the Winter-Garden we had a ride in the Park.  So stupid, I thought, at this time of the year.  When I woke up, Grimmie was helping me into the entrance of the hotel.  He was very cross with the chauffeur and with me, too.  Then he took the taxi and went home, still angry.”

“So!” after a moment’s silence, Warren continued, a puzzled look on his face.  “What was the trouble?  I don’t see how any one could be cross with a nice little girl like you.  But to-night, I’m to have another little party up at my house.  Bring some one up, who won’t be cross.  You come, Mr. Shirley?”

Helene hesitated, but Monty acquiesced.

“That would be splendid.  What time?”