to get his son down-stairs and into his own domain
blinded him to the straightness of Jimmie's back and the severe lines in
his face. With all the dignity at his command the visitor assumed a
position which perhaps he had learned during his career as an orator:

"You are my father, and an old man," he replied, with rare
condescension, "so I will be gentle with you. I didn't call to sec
_you_, Mr. Riley--I have important business with Mr. Gorham."

Riley drew back, indecision mingled with a father's pride that a son of
his could carry himself with such an air.

"That's phwat brought ye here, is it?--business wid Misther Robert--ye!"
he repeated. "Ah, Jimmie, I can't belave it, me la-ad. Are ye shure?"

"Is it his father who doubts the word of James Riley?" the younger man
replied, and Riley thought he discerned a touch of sorrow in the
unnatural tone of voice.

"But Misther Robert ain't doin' no business these days, Jimmie. It's th'
vacation he's havin'."

"This is personal business, Mr. Riley, and it's to his own interest to
see me. I can be of service to Mr. Gorham."

"Ye can be iv service ter Misther Robert, Jimmie?" The old man's face
beamed with pride. "Ah, Jimmie, it's proud I am iv ye! Me own la-ad iv
service ter Misther Robert! I'll spake ter him at wance."

As Riley drew back to admire his son, his eye fell upon the silk hat and
the black gloves.

"Who's dead, Jimmie?" he asked, with real concern "--why do ye wear th'
sorry rag on ye'er hat an' th' ravens on ye'er hands?"

"No one you know," James replied, carelessly flicking a speck from his
overcoat sleeve. "The city supplied them for the committee what went to
Moriarty's funeral last month."

"Oh!" Riley wavered between his relief and his sense of duty to
acquaint his son with the proper usage of the articles in question.
Discretion finally prevailed, and he went up-stairs to impress Mr.
Gorham with the importance of Jimmie's errand.

James Riley had acted upon a sudden impulse in making his call upon Mr.
Gorham. He had unexpectedly gained possession of certain information
which he felt might be of commercial value to himself, and beyond this
it offered him an opportunity to come in close contact with a famous
man. With his eye always open to the main chance, James felt that this
first meeting with Mr. Gorham, since he himself had come into his own,
might lead to something worth while.

Even Gorham was conscious of the satisfaction expressed i