opalian. He'll be at Lander's for a few days."

Agatha's cheeks flamed, for she realized that it was her wedding of
which they were speaking; but it brought her a curious relief to hear
that it had been deferred. A moment or two later Gregory turned to her
with questions about his people in England.

Winifred had separated herself from the group. She was standing near her
baggage, which had been flung out beside the track, when Wyllard strode
up to her.

"Feeling rather out of it? I do, any way," he remarked. "Since we appear
superfluous, we may as well make the most of the opportunity, especially
as it will probably save you a long drive. There's a man here who wants
to see you."

Winifred had felt forlorn a few moments earlier, but the announcement
Wyllard made was reassuring, and she brightened perceptibly as he
signaled to a man who was standing a little further along the track. The
stranger wore rather good store clothes, and his manner was brisk and
wholly business-like. It was a certain relief to the girl to see that he
evidently regarded her less as a personality than as a piece of
commercial machinery, of which apparently he had been asked to make use.
She had found it easier to get on with men who looked upon her as merely
part of the office equipment.

"Mr. Hamilton is in charge of the elevator yonder," explained Wyllard,
pointing to one of the huge buildings.

Then he introduced Miss Rawlinson.

The elevator man made her the curtest of bows and proceeded to arrange
matters with a rapidity which almost took her breath away.

"Typist and stenographer?" he asked. "Know anything about keeping
accounts?"

Winifred admitted that she possessed these qualifications and Hamilton
appeared to reflect for a moment or two.

"Well," he said, "in a fortnight we'll give you a show. You can start
at--" and he mentioned terms which rather astonished Winifred. "If you
can keep things straight we may raise you later."

"Won't you want to see any testimonials?" she asked.

"No," answered Hamilton. "I've seen a good many and I'm inclined to
believe some of the folks who showed them to me must have bought them."
He waved his hand. "Mr. Wyllard assures me that you'll do, and that's
quite enough for me."

It struck Winifred as curious that, while Agatha had written to Hawtrey
on her behalf, it was Wyllard who had secured her the opportunity for
which she had longed.

"There's another matter," she said hesitatingly,