rom worry.

He went to Dick Holden's office. That busy young man met him with
visible embarrassment, which, however, David ignored.

"Dick," he plunged at once into his errand, "I owe you a lot of money."

"Oh, not much--not worth speaking about. No hurry about that, old man."

David smiled grimly at that. "It won't be paid in a hurry--can't be.
But I'm quitting the game and taking a job, and I can pay you some
every month now; not much, but a nibble, anyhow. And if ever you get
rushed with business and I can help you out at nights, I'd be glad to
work part of my debt off that way."

"Why," said Dick very eagerly, "that'll be easy. I've got three sets
of plans I'd like to have you work out right now. And there'll be
more. You know, I'll be pretty busy over that St. Chris--" Dick's
tongue halted sharply and the red crept over his face until even his
ears were glowing.

"Of course. I haven't congratulated you yet. I do most--"

"Don't you, Davy Quentin!" Dick interrupted fiercely. "Don't you go
congratulating me. I feel darn small potatoes just now. You're
quitting the game because I beat you out on the St. Christopher's job,
and I--"

"Not at all," David interrupted in his turn. "You mustn't look at it
that way. I was foozling my approach right along anyway, and the St.
Christopher thing couldn't have changed that. One swallow doesn't kill
a summer thirst, you know." He laughed at this slender joke so
heartily that Dick was almost deceived.

"Is it a pretty fair job?"

"I must say it is. And I expect to make a mighty good draftsman for
Radbourne & Company. I've always been rather long on mechanical
drawing, you may remember. And I've got a first-rate boss, if I'm any
judge. On the whole, it looks pretty good--much better than dubbing
along at a game where--where one hasn't the punch, as you put it."

Dick flushed again. For several minutes he was silent save for the
drumming of his fingers on the desk. Then he stirred, with a sharp
irritable movement.

"Well, I wish you luck. And I'll have the data for those plans
to-morrow."

David took this as a hint to go. When he had gone Dick heaved a sigh
of relief. During those silent minutes a strange inspiration had come
to him, to suggest a partnership in lieu of the new job. Dick felt
that he had had a narrow escape from an expensive generosity.

Next David called on a young architect who was looking for quarters.
To him it was arra