arney Palmer and
Old Jimmie were here this afternoon, wanting to see you. They've got
something big waiting for you. I suppose you're all ready to jump in and
put it over with a wallop."

"I'm going to put something over with a wallop--but I guess business
will have to wait until Barney, Jimmie, and I have a talk. Can you spare
me a little more of that stew?"

His manner of speaking was a quiet announcement to Hunt that his plans
were for the present a closed subject. Hunt felt balked, for this lean,
alert, much-talked-of adventurer piqued him greatly; but he switched to
other subjects, and during the rest of the meal did most of the talking.
The Duchess was silent, and seemingly was concerned only with her
food. Larry got in a fair portion of speech, but for the most part his
attention, except for that required for eating, was fixed upon Maggie.

How she had sprung up since he had last seen her! Almost a woman
now--and destined to be a beauty! And more than just a beauty: she was
colorful, vital, high-strung. Before he had gone away he had regarded
her with something akin to the negligent affection of an older brother.
But this thing which was already beginning to surge up in him was
altogether different, and he knew it.

As for Maggie, when she looked at him, she flushed and her eyes grew
bright. Larry was back!--the brilliant, daring Larry. She was aware that
she had been successful in startling and gripping his attention. Yes,
they would do great things together!

When the dinner was finished and the dishes washed, Larry gave voice to
this new urge that had so quickly grown up within him.

"What do you say, Maggie, to a little walk?"

"All right," she replied eagerly.

They went down the narrow stairway together. On the landing of the
second floor, which contained only Maggie's bedroom and the Duchess's
and a tiny kitchen, Maggie started to leave him to change into street
clothes; but he caught her arm and said, "Come on." They descended the
next flight and came into the back room behind the pawnshop, which the
Duchess used as a combination of sitting-room, office, and storeroom.
About this musty museum hung or stood unredeemed seamen's jackets, men
and women's evening wear, banjos, guitars, violins, umbrellas, and one
huge green stuffed parrot sitting on top of the Duchess's safe.

"I wanted to talk, not walk," he said. "Let's stay here."

He took her hands and looked down on her steadily. Under the yell