. Caroline was the first to reach
the library. Her entrance brought her face to face with Pearson.

"I beg your pardon," she began. "I did not know there was anyone here."

"It's only a friend of mine, Caroline," explained her uncle, quickly.
"Just callin' on me, he was."

"Good evening, Miss Warren," said Pearson, quietly.

The girl looked at him for an instant. Then her expression changed, and,
with a smile, she extended her hand.

"Why, Mr. Pearson!" she exclaimed. "I'm very glad to see you. You must
excuse me for not recognizing you at once. Steve, you remember Mr.
Pearson."

Stephen also extended a hand.

"Sure!" he said. "Glad to see you again, Pearson. Haven't met you for an
age. How are you?"

Pearson shook both the hands. He was embarrassed and hesitated in his
reply.

"It _has_ been some time since we met," he said. "This is an unexpected
pleasure. Ah, Mr. Dunn, good evening."

"It is Mr. Pearson, the financial writer of the _Planet_, Malcolm,"
said Caroline. "You used to know him, I think."

"Don't remember, I'm sure. Yes, I do. Met you at the University Club,
didn't I?"

"Yes. I was formerly a member."

"And let me present you to Mrs. Corcoran Dunn," went on the girl. "Mr.
Pearson used to know father well."

Mrs. Dunn inspected the visitor through her lorgnette, and condescended
to admit that she was "delighted."

"I'm very glad you called," continued Caroline. "We were just in time,
weren't we? Do sit down. And if you will wait a minute until we remove
our wraps--Steve ring for Edwards, please."

"I'm afraid I can't wait, Miss Warren. I dropped in to see your uncle,
at his invitation, and, as a matter of fact, I didn't know--"

"To see our _uncle_!" interrupted Stephen, in amazement. "Who?"

"Your uncle, Captain Warren here," explained Pearson, surprised in his
turn. "He and I made each other's acquaintance yesterday, and he asked
me to call."

"You--you called to see _him_?" repeated Stephen. "Why, what in the
world--?"

"I took the liberty of askin' him, Caroline," observed Captain Elisha
quietly, and ignoring the last speaker. "I didn't know you knew him,
and I used to sail along with _his_ uncle, so he seemed almost like own
folks."

"Oh!" Caroline's manner changed. "I presume it was a business call," she
said slowly. "I beg pardon for interrupting. We had not seen you since
father's death, Mr. Pearson, and I assumed that you had called upon my
brother and me. Excuse me. Mrs