s and accustomed to having his imperious way about most things. In
this case, he is easily pleased--merely perfection is his desire."

"Shirley is generally prompt, and is apt to breeze in here any second
now, with his two hundred pounds and six feet of brawn and ginger. I
wonder--"

"Why do you suppose such a paragon is desired by your friend? Who is he?
What is he like, not an ordinary actor--" and the wondrous eyes darkened
with a curious thought.

"My dear lady, no one has discovered the mental secrets of Montague
Shirley. He apparently wastes his life as do other popular society men
with much money and more time on their hands. Yet, somehow, I always
feel in his presence as one does when standing on the bow of an ocean
liner, with the salt breeze whizzing into your heart. He is a force of
nature, yet he explains nothing: a thorough man of the world; droll,
sarcastic, generous and I believe for democracy he is unequaled by any
Tammany politician: he knows more policemen, dopes, conductors, beggars,
chauffeurs, gangsters, bartenders, jobless actors, painters, preachers,
anarchists, and all the rest of New York's flotsam and jetsam than any
one in the world. He is always the polished gentleman, and yet they take
him man for man."

"What does this unusual person do for a living?"

"Nothing but living!"

Her interest was naturally undiminshed by this perfervid tribute, and
she clapped her dainty hands together with sudden mirth.

"You know why I came here, and why to you, Mr. Holloway. You know who I
am, and although I answer none of those exorbitant terms except that I
am not known by sight along your big street Broadway, why not recommend
me for the position?"

"But you, of all people!" Holloway's face was a study in amazement. "You
can't tell what wild project he has in view. Shirley is a wild Indian,
in many things you know--just when you least expect it. I have known him
a dozen years."

He paused to weigh the matter, and his sense of humor conquered. He
roared with mirth, which was joined in more sedately by the unknown
girl. "That settles it. You couldn't start on your campaign in a better
way. You shall be the Lady of Mystery in this story! I will not breathe
a hint of your identity to Shirley, and no one else knows, of course.
What a ripping good joke: I'm glad you came here the first hour after
your landing in New York."

"What shall I call myself? I have it--a romantic name, which will be
worth l