old lady I know once came across a remarkable instance of
it. She watched a ship-wreck, the real article, with all the scenic
accessories, and when a half drowned sailor was dragged ashore she
asked him how he felt at that awful moment. And what do you think he
said?"

"Very wet," laughed Helen.

"No, that is the other story. This man said he was very dry."

"Ah, the one step from the sublime to the ridiculous, which reminds me
that if I remain here much longer talking nonsense I shall lose the
good opinion I am sure you have formed of me from Mr. Mackenzie's
letter. Why, it must be after eleven o'clock! Are you going any
farther, or will you walk with me to the hotel?"

"If you will allow me----"

"Indeed, I shall be very glad of your company. I came out to escape my
own thoughts. Did you ever meet such an unsociable lot of people as
our fellow boarders, Mr. Spencer? If it was not for my work, and the
fact that I have taken my room for a month, I should hie me forthwith
to the beaten track of the vulgar but good natured tourist."

"Why not go? Let me help you to-morrow to map out a tour. Then I shall
know precisely where to waylay you, for I feel the chill here too."

"I wish I could fall in with the first part of your proposal, though
the second rather suggests that you regard Mr. Mackenzie's letter of
introduction as a letter of marque."

"At any rate, I am an avowed pirate," he could not help retorting.
"But to keep strictly to business, why not quit if you feel like
wandering?"

"Because I was sent here, on a journalistic mission which I understand
less now than when I received it in London. Of course, I am delighted
with the place. It is the people I--kick at? Is that a quite proper
Americanism?"

"It seems to fit the present case like a glove, or may I say, like a
shoe?"

"Now you are laughing at me, inwardly of course, and I agree with you.
Ladies should not use slang, nor should they promenade alone in Swiss
valleys by moonlight. My excuse is that I did not feel sleepy, and
the moon tempted me. Good night."

They were yet some little distance from the hotel, and Spencer was at
a loss to account for this sudden dismissal. She saw the look of
bewilderment in his face.

"I have found a back stairs door," she explained, with a smile. "I
really don't think I should have dared to come out at half-past ten if
I had to pass the Gorgons in the foyer."

She flitted away by a side path, leaving Spencer