his forehead, he surveyed himself in the glass.
The transformation was complete.

Regarding himself in this shabby disguise, he almost deteriorated in his
own estimation. It was difficult to believe that a mere change of
apparel could make such a vast difference. But one satisfaction he could
not deny himself. It was unlikely that anyone would recognize, in the
human derelict before the looking-glass, Herbert Whitmore, millionaire,
owner of the great Whitmore Iron Works. It was certain that his most
intimate friend would have failed to penetrate his disguise.

Dismissing the unpleasant reflections kindled within him, Whitmore
proceeded with characteristic assurance to execute what was in his mind.
He descended silently to the basement of the house, where he obtained a
heavy screw-driver. This he secreted in the inside pocket of his coat.
Next he went to the basement door and peered furtively through the
grating. His anxious eyes swept the street until convinced that no
inquisitive policeman was loitering in the immediate vicinity. Then,
slowly, apprehensively, he opened the door and issued, like a thief in
the night, from his own home.

CHAPTER II

The domestic life of George Collins and his wife was a daily lie which
fooled no one. For five years they had lived completely estranged
beneath the single roof that sheltered both, yet trying desperately to
conceal their conjugal infelicity from the world. But the eyes of the
world are too keen and penetrating when it comes to other people's
affairs, and such painful efforts as the Collinses made to appear
reconciled to each other were measured and appraised at their true
worth.

Marriage is a common institution and the symptoms of its discontent are
familiar to all. They appeared early in the married life of the
Collinses, were faithfully diagnosed by the members of their immediate
circle, and the prognostication based on them called for the early
appearance of Mrs. Collins as plaintiff in the divorce court.

But religious scruples and a natural abhorrence of such a proceeding
combined to keep the wife from making the one essential move necessary
for her freedom.

Rather than do violence to the tenets of her religious faith and to the
rigid principles of her upbringing, she chose to bear the burden of
unhappiness that was imposed on her. Occasionally she and her husband
even appeared in public together, and on such occasions they tried to
give the impressio