idow
just to see if what the seventy said was true. I'm mortal. I hang around
the buzz-saw. If you give me a little money, I'll go down to the village
and buy the provisions for lunch."

Gleefully Mr. Magee started the hermit on his way, and then went over to
where the girl stood at the foot of the stairs.

"I promised him," he told her, "you'd ask no questions regarding his
broken heart. It seems he hasn't any."

"That's horrid of him, isn't it?" she smiled. "Every good hermit is
equipped with a broken heart. I certainly shan't bother him. I came down
to get some water."

They went together to the kitchen, found a pail, and filled it with icy
water from the pump at the rear of the inn. Inside once more, Mr. Magee
remarked thoughtfully:

"Who would have guessed a week ago that to-day I would be climbing the
broad staircase of a summer hotel carrying a pail of water for a lady
fair?"

They paused on the landing.

"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio," smiled the girl,
"than are dreamed of, even by novelists." Mr. Magee started. Had she
recognized him as the Magee of light fiction? It seemed hardly likely;
they read his books, but they rarely remembered his name. Her face went
suddenly grave. She came closer. "I can't help wondering," she said,
"which side you are on?"

"Which side of what?" asked Magee.

"Why, of this," she answered, waving her hand toward the office below.

"I don't understand," objected Mr. Magee.

"Let's not be silly," she replied. "You know what brought me here. I
know what brought you. There are three sides, and only one is honest. I
hope, so very much, that you are on that side."

"Upon my word--" began Magee.

"Will it interest you to know," she continued, "I saw the big mayor of
Reuton in the village this morning? With him was his shadow, Lou Max.
Let's see--you had the first key, Mr. Bland the second, the professor
the third, and I had the fourth. The mayor has the fifth key, of course.
He'll be here soon."

"The mayor," gasped Mr. Magee. "Really, I haven't the slightest idea
what you mean. I'm here to work--"

"Very well," said the girl coldly, "if you wish it that way." They came
to the door of seventeen, and she took the pail from Mr. Magee's hand.
"Thanks."

"'Where are you going, my pretty maid?'" asked Magee, indicating the
pail.

"'"I'll see you at luncheon, sir," she said,'" responded Miss Norton,
and the door of seventeen slammed shut.

Mr. Magee