difficult for him, but easy for me, as I crept close to the
wall. When I reached the door opening into the banquet hall I took up a
position just inside the jamb, so that I could get a full view of the
Prince as he passed.

At this instant I became aware that a pair of broad shoulders were
touching mine. Turning quickly, I found myself looking into the face of
the bearded Russian. His eyes were fastened on mine, an inquiring,
rather surprised look on his face, as if he was wondering at the bad
manners of a man who would thrust himself ahead of a royal personage.
For an instant the features were calm and impassive, then as he
continued to look at me there flashed out of his eyes a search-light
glance that shot straight through me.

It was Bing!

Bearded like a Cossack; more heavily built, solemn, dignified, elegant
in carriage and demeanor, with not a trace of jollity about him--but
Bing all the same! I could have sworn to it!

The flash burned for an instant; the eyes behind the canvas dodged
back, then with a graceful wave of the hand he turned to the Ambassador
who was now abreast of him and said in a voice so low that I caught the
words but not the full tone:

"Isn't it a charming sight, your Excellency? There is nothing like the
hospitality of these wonderful Americans." And the two passed into the
brilliantly-lighted hall.

I made my way to my seat and sat thinking it over. That he had
recognized me was without question; that he had ignored me was equally
true--why, I could not tell.

For years I had made him one of my heroes. He had stood for
cheerfulness, for contentment with one's lot, for consideration for
another--and always a weaker brother. When his abrupt departure had
been criticised by my fellow-boarders, I had stemmed the tide against
him, dilating on his love for his children, on his loneliness away from
them; on his simplicity, his common-sense, his desire to help even a
young fellow like me who had no claim upon him. In return he had seen
fit to treat me with contempt--I who would have been so proud to tell
him how his advice had helped me and what progress I had made by
following it.

The incident took such hold upon me that I found myself dissecting his
mentality instead of that of the Great Personage in the public eye. As
I analyzed my feelings I found that he had hurt my heart more than my
pride. I would have been so glad to shake his hand--so glad to rejoice
with him over his changed