to the calm and
beautiful face which the architect and the workmen have always seen.

The vari-colored slate shingles are going on the roof.

Her eye returns in satisfaction to the glittering black granite letters
over the portal. She reads:

THE DAVID LOCKWIN ANNEX

[Illustration: Her eye returns in satisfaction to the glittering black
granite letters over the portal.]

"A magnificent hospital," says an approving press, "the very dream of
an intelligent philanthropy."

BOOK III

ROBERT CHALMERS

CHAPTER I

A DIFFICULT PROBLEM

David Lockwin is not dead.

Look into his heart and see what was there while he sat beside Corkey
on the lounge in the forecabin of the Africa.

The time has come for momentous action. It is settled that at the
other end of this journey David Lockwin shall cease to exist. Now, how
to do it.

He may commit suicide.

He may disappear.

In furtherance of the latter plan there awaits the draft of Robert
Chalmers, who bears letters from David Lockwin, the sum of $75,000.
This deposit is in the Coal and Oil Trust Company's institution at New
York. The amount is half of Lockwin's estate. Esther shall have the
rest.

Serious matters are these, for a man to consider, who sits stretched
out on a seat, one ankle over the other, his hands deep in pocket, his
chin far down on his chest; and Corkey appealing in his dumb, yet
eloquent way, for a share of the spoils of office.

This life of David Lockwin, the people's idol, is an unendurable fiasco.

David Lockwin is disconsolate. Davy is no more.

David Lockwin is sick and weak. Whether he be sane or daft, he
scarcely knows, and he cares not at all.

He recoils from politics.

He loathes the reputation of a rich man with ambition--a rich man with
a barrel.

He does not believe himself to be a true orator.

He is urged forward by unknown interests over which he has no control.
He is morally and publicly responsible for the turpitude of the party
leaders and the party hacks.

He is married to a cold and unsympathetic woman. Did he not wed her as
a part of the political bargain?

Is life sweet? No. Then let Davy's path be followed. Now, therefore,
let this affair of suicide be discussed.

Can David Lockwin, the people's idol, commit suicide? Does he desire
to pay the full earthly penalty of that act? He is of first-class
family. There has never been a suicide in the records.

His self-slaughter will