sire to celebrate. The date was
on his brain. He didn't even take off his coat after he'd seen
it--normally the old man works in his shirt-sleeves, you know--he just
walked back from his private room into the general office. 'To-day's a
holiday,' he said.

"They stared, the office force--there are seven of them. They didn't say
a word; they just stared.

"'I say to-day's a holiday,' the old man repeated, 'shut up shop.'"

There was a silence. In it Miss Gleason glanced up--into two eyes smiling
out of a blank face. Her own dropped. Simultaneously, also, her ears
tinged scarlet.

Darley Roberts laughed a low tolerant laugh at his own expense.

"Still think I wasn't irresponsible--moonstruck--nothing of the kind?"

"No--Mr. Roberts."

"Wait. After the force had gone, still staring, the old man went back to
his desk. He looked up a number in the telephone directory. 'Mr. Herbert?
Roberts, Darley Roberts.--I'd like to see you personally. Yes, at once.
I'm waiting.'"

Again the girl glanced up; something made her. And again she encountered
those same eyes smiling out of a masked face.

"The old man waited; ten minutes maybe. He didn't do a thing; just
waited. Then events came to pass." Once more the little throaty laugh.
"'Mr. Herbert,' he said, 'your house you advertise for sale. How much
this morning?'

"Mr. Herbert seemed surprised, distinctly surprised. He was only half
through the door at the time.

"'Eighteen thousand dollars. It cost twenty,'--after he's caught his
breath.

"'It cost _you_ fifteen even. I've been to some trouble to find out.'

"'You can't know the place, Mr.--Mr. Roberts.'

"'Yes. Top of the hill. Faces east and north. Terra cotta, brick. For
reasons you know best it's been vacant for a month now.'

"'You can't know the inside, I mean. It's finished in solid hardwood,
every inch.'

"'Yes, I've seen it; oak in front, mahogany in the dining-room, rosewood
in the den. I've seen it.'

"'When? I've lived there nine years until just lately. Not in that
time.'

"'Yes, during that time. I was at a party there once,--a university party
which Mrs. Herbert gave.'

"'All right. Maybe you know.'

"'Unquestionably. I repeat the place cost you fifteen thousand.'

"'The price now is eighteen.'

"'You don't wish to sell--at fifteen?'

"'No.'

"'That's all, then.'

"'Roberts--confound it--'

"'I'm sorry to have bothered you. I thought you wished to sell.'

"'I've got to, but I don'