er, not me. Enough that I promise you her aid if you want it. That is,
if you can interest her. She will not work otherwise."

Mr. Driscoll again raised his opera glass.

"But it's a comedy face," he commented. "It's hard to associate
intellectuality with such quaintness of expression. Are you sure of her
discretion?"

"Whom is she with?"

"Abner Pratt, his wife, and daughters."

"Is he a man to entrust his affairs unadvisedly?"

"Abner Pratt! Do you mean to say that she is anything more to him than
his daughters' guest?"

"Judge. You see how merry they are. They were in deep trouble yesterday.
You are witness to a celebration."

"And she?"

"Don't you observe how they are loading her with attentions? She's
too young to rouse such interest in a family of notably unsympathetic
temperament for any other reason than that of gratitude."

"It's hard to believe. But if what you hint is true, secure me an
opportunity at once of talking to this youthful marvel. My affair is
serious. The dinner I have mentioned comes off in three days and--"

"I know. I recognize your need; but I think you had better enter Mr.
Pratt's box without my intervention. Miss Strange's value to us will be
impaired the moment her connection with us is discovered."

"Ah, there's Ruthven! He will take me to Mr. Pratt's box," remarked
Driscoll as the curtain fell on the second act. "Any suggestions before
I go?"

"Yes, and an important one. When you make your bow, touch your left
shoulder with your right hand. It is a signal. She may respond to it;
but if she does not, do not be discouraged. One of her idiosyncrasies is
a theoretical dislike of her work. But once she gets interested, nothing
will hold her back. That's all, except this. In no event give away her
secret. That's part of the compact, you remember."

Driscoll nodded and left his seat for Ruthven's box. When the curtain
rose for the third time he could be seen sitting with the Misses Pratt
and their vivacious young friend. A widower and still on the right side
of fifty, his presence there did not pass unnoted, and curiosity
was rife among certain onlookers as to which of the twin belles was
responsible for this change in his well-known habits. Unfortunately,
no opportunity was given him for showing. Other and younger men had
followed his lead into the box, and they saw him forced upon the good
graces of the fascinating but inconsequent Miss Strange whose rapid fire
of talk he wa