ed them both out of town. It is the only way to keep
Lorimer out of mischief, get him into the wilderness to live on venison
and bromides. We chose the Adirondacks because it was near and safe, and
because we could tell people that Beatrix needed the air. Of course,
they'll know we are lying; but we may as well lie valiantly and
plausibly, while we are about it."

"When do they go?"

"Monday."

"Who goes?"

"They hire a cottage, and take enough servants to run it. Then there
will be a man for Lorimer. The doctor insisted upon that."

"Who else?"

"Beatrix and Lorimer."

"And Mrs. Dane?"

"No; no one else."

"You don't mean that Mrs. Lorimer is going up into that wilderness
alone?"

"Alone with her liege lord," Bobby said bitterly.

"But she mustn't. It's not safe."

"Who can go? Mrs. Dane is not strong; she would only be an extra care
for Beatrix."

"Mr. Dane, then."

"He's no use. I would go, myself; but I can't well get off. Besides,
Lorimer hates me, and my being there would only make it harder for
Beatrix. Do you really think she ought to have someone?" Bobby's voice
was anxious.

"For nine days, no; for the tenth, yes," Thayer said decidedly. "We both
know that, some time or other, Lorimer is bound to go on another spree.
No; there's no use in being too hard on him. The time has passed, if it
ever existed, when he was as responsible as you would be, or I. It's in
his blood, and he has lost all his nerve to fight it out. But, when that
spree comes, if it comes while they are up there, Mrs. Lorimer must have
someone to stand back of her. Who is there?"

Bobby shook his head.

"I don't know," he confessed. "I would go, if I could; but I can't."

There was a long silence between the two men. Thayer, sitting at his
desk, was absently measuring his blotting pad with a letter, so many
envelopes' length this way, so many that. The letter was from the
impresario, reminding him that his decision was due, that night, and
urging him to accept the offer. At length, Thayer turned around away
from the desk, and faced Bobby.

"Is there a hotel near there?" he asked.

"Half a mile away."

"Open at this season?"

"Yes, there are always cranks and consumptives, you know."

Thayer faced back again and measured the blotter anew. Then he tossed
the letter aside and, rising, walked across to the mantel.

"I think I'll go up there for a little while," he said briefly.

"Thayer! You can't."

"Why not?"