h's transfer to the San
Francisco office, I had no opportunity to learn more from the
confidences of Captain Jim.

I was ascending the principal staircase of my San Francisco hotel one
rainy afternoon, when I was pointedly recalled to Gilead by the passing
glitter of Mrs. Sweeny's jewelry and the sudden vanishing behind her of
a gentleman who seemed to be accompanying her. A few moments after I
had entered my room I heard a tap at my door, and opened it upon Lacy
Bassett. I thought he looked a little confused and agitated.
Nevertheless, with an assumption of cordiality and ease he said, "It
appears we're neighbors. That's my room next to yours." He pointed to
the next room, which I then remembered was a sitting-room en suite with
my own, and communicating with it by a second door, which was always
locked. It had not been occupied since my tenancy. As I suppose my
face did not show any extravagant delight at the news of his
contiguity, he added, hastily, "There's a transom over the door, and I
thought I'd tell you you kin hear everything from the one room to the
other."

I thanked him, and told him dryly that, as I had no secrets to divulge
and none that I cared to hear, it made no difference to me. As this
seemed to increase his confusion and he still hesitated before the
door, I asked him if Captain Jim was with him.

"No," he said quickly. "I haven't seen him for a month, and don't want
to. Look here, I want to talk to you a bit about him." He walked into
the room, and closed the door behind him. "I want to tell you that me
and Captain Jim is played! All this runnin' o' me and interferin' with
me is played! I'm tired of it. You kin tell him so from me."

"Then you have quarrelled?"

"Yes. As much as any man can quarrel with a darned fool who can't take
a hint."

"One moment. Have you quarrelled about Polly Baxter?"

"Yes," he answered querulously. "Of course I have. What does he mean
by interfering?

"Now listen to me, Mr. Bassett," I interrupted. "I have no desire to
concern myself in your association with Captain Jim, but since you
persist in dragging me into it, you must allow me to speak plainly.
From all that I can ascertain you have no serious intentions of
marrying Polly Baxter. You have come here from Gilead to follow Mrs.
Sweeny, whom I saw you with a moment ago. Now, why do you not frankly
give up Miss Baxter to Captain Jim, who will make her a good husband,
and go your own way