ped both Octavius' hands; held them close in a firm
cordial grip; looked straight into the small brown eyes that were filled
with tears, the result of pure nervousness.

"We men understand each other, Mr. Buzzby; no apology is necessary--let
me have your prayers while I am away, I shall need them--good-bye--" He
entered the car.

Octavius Buzzby lifted his hat and stood bareheaded on the platform till
the train drew out.

PART FOURTH

Oblivion

I

"I have called to see Mr. Van Ostend, by appointment," said Father
Honore to the footman in attendance at the door of the mansion on the
Avenue.

He was shown into the library. Mr. Van Ostend rose from the armchair to
greet him.

"I am glad to see you, Father Honore." He shook hands cordially and drew
up a chair opposite to his own before the blazing hearth. "Be seated; I
have given orders that we are not to be interrupted. I cannot pretend
ignorance as to the cause of your coming--a sad, bad matter for us all.
Have you any news?"

"Only that he is here in New York."

Mr. Van Ostend looked startled. "Here? Since when? My latest advice was
this afternoon from the Maine detectives."

"I heard yesterday from headquarters that he had been traced here, but
he must be in hiding somewhere; thus far they've found no trace of him.
I felt sure, from the very first, he would return; that is why I came
down. He couldn't avoid detection any longer in the country, nor could
he hold out another week in the Maine wilderness--no man could stand it
in this weather."

"How long have you been here, Father Honore?"

"Three days. I promised Mrs. Googe to do what I could to find him; the
mother suffers most."

"I know--I know; it's awful for her; but, for God's sake, what did he do
it for!"

"Why do we all sin at times?"

"Yes, yes--I know; that's your point of view, but that does not answer
me in this case. He had every opportunity to work along legitimate lines
towards the end he professed to wish to attain--and he had the ability
to attain it; I know this from my experience with him. What could have
possessed him to put himself in the place of a sneak thief--he, born a
gentleman, with Champney blood in his veins?"

Father Honore did not answer his question which was more an indignant
ejaculation.

"You spoke of my 'point of view,' Mr. Van Ostend. I think I know what
that implies; you mean from the point of view of the priesthood?"

The man on the opposite side