irregularly, I'm sorry to say."

"Quite on his own hook, the boy turned up one day with an article on the
Centre Street 'mashers' that was a screamer. You know what that
situation was--"

"Yes, yes."

"I had for some time had it in mind to tackle it myself. The fact was
that we were developing a class of boy Don Juans that were a black
disgrace to the city. It was a rather unpleasant subject, but this young
man handled it with much tact, as well as with surprising vigor and
ability. His improvement seemed to date from right there. I encouraged
him to follow up his first effort, and he wrote a strong series which
attracted attention all through the State, and has already brought about
decided improvement."

"Splendid! You know," said West, "the first time I ever looked at that
boy, I was sure he had the stuff in him."

"Then you are a far keener observer than I. However, the nature of the
man seems to be undergoing some subtle change, a curious kind of
expansion--I don't remember anything like it in my experience. A more
indefatigable worker I never saw, and if he goes on this way.... Well,
God moves in a mysterious way. It's a delight to see you again,
Gardiner. Take supper with me at the club, won't you? I feel lonely and
grown old, as the poet says."

West accepted, and presently departed on his happy round. The Colonel
glanced at his watch; it was 3.30 o'clock, and he fell industriously to
work again. On the stroke of four, as usual, the door of the adjoining
office opened, and he heard his assistant enter and seat himself at the
new desk recently provided for him. Another half-hour passed, and the
Colonel, putting a double cross-mark at the bottom of his paper--that
being how you write "Finis" on the press--raised his head.

"Mr. Queed."

"Yes."

The connecting door opened, and the young man walked in. His chief eyed
him thoughtfully.

"Young man, you have picked up a complexion like a professional
beauty's. What is your secret?"

"I daresay it is exercise. I have just walked out to Kern's Castle and
back."

"H'm. Five miles if it's a step."

"And a half. I do it--twice a week--in an hour and seven minutes."

The Colonel thought of his own over-rubicund cheek and sighed. "Well,
whom or what do you wish to crucify to-morrow?"

"I am at your orders there."

"Have you examined Deputy Clerk Folsom's reply to Councilman Hannigan's
charge? What do you think of it?"

"I think it puts Hannigan in a v