owned.

"It's impossible!" he said emphatically.

"You can't stay here," said Mr. Marsh. "Don't you see we're engaged?"

"Yes--yes--Jimmy," grinned Tod.

"You can't stay here, Mr. Chase," said Mr. Cooley sternly.

Tod looked at Paula inquiringly.

"Please don't go," she said, in an undertone.

"But he must go," said Mr. Cooley, who overheard.

Tod laughed, and, going to a side table, laid down his hat and cane.
Coming back he said, with a careless laugh:

"My dear old Cooley, when a lady invites me to stay and that lady
happens to be the hostess, one doesn't need any lawyer's advice on the
subject--one simply stays."

He looked across at the table where the commission were sitting, and,
surprised to see them, he turned to Paula for an explanation.

"What's the game?" he asked. "I don't see any chips--can I get in? Say,
this looks like a nice little party, Miss Marsh. I'm awfully glad I
came."

Mr. Marsh, who was fast losing his temper, went up to him and took him
aside.

"Now, Tod," he said angrily, "you must really go! Don't you understand
this is a--a--very sad---- Please go at once."

"Behave yourself, Jimmy," laughed Tod, shaking his stepfather off.

"Damn!" ejaculated Jimmy.

"Young man," said Mr. Cooley sternly, "this is very serious--believe
me."

Tod grinned.

"That's the trouble with you, Cooley. You take things too seriously."

"But this is serious, sir," thundered the lawyer.

"All right-- I'll be serious, too," retorted the young man. "What's the
trouble?"

"Your son?" inquired Dr. McMutrie blandly.

"My wife's son," replied Jimmy sourly.

The examiner rose.

"Just a moment, sir," he said.

Drawing Tod aside, he crossed the room with him, conversing in a
whisper, while the others watched in silence, Paula in an agony of
suspense. Suddenly the young man started and exclaimed:

"Good Lord! No--no--no--not for a moment. It's a lie!"

For all reply Dr. McMutrie handed the young man his visiting card.

"I don't care a d----" cried Tod wrath fully. "Excuse me, sir--excuse
me--I'll--I'll--well, I'll be-- Pardon me, won't you, sir? My feelings
got away with me."

The examiner bowed and returned to his seat.

"You'd better go home, Todhunter," said Jimmy, severely.

"No, James," retorted his stepson calmly. "I think I'll stay here."

"But this is a private commission, sir!" roared Mr. Cooley angrily.

"Well, let's make it public," retorted Tod quickly. Turning to Paula, he