very well, I thank you, sir," James answered
in a quick, frightened voice.

"I am glad to hear it," Gorham answered, but his tone suggested
incredulity.

"I have been some worrited lately," James added, by way of explanation.
"I s'pose you knows how that tells on a feller, sir."

"Yes, James," Gorham agreed. "It comes to all of us sooner or later.
Now tell me what is the important information which your father promised
me you would bring with you ?"

"Hasn't he told you, sir?"

"Not a word, James. Has it to do with the matter you have been working
on for me, or is it some trouble of your own which has caused the worry
you speak of?"

James was seated on the edge of his chair with his thin hands folded and
resting on his knees. His eyes roved about the room, looking anywhere
except into Mr. Gorham's face. As a matter of fact, he had in reality
passed through some "worrited" times since his father's call, and his
humiliation was complete. It was a relief to him to know that his father
had not discussed the matter with Mr. Gorham, but even that consolation
was not equal to the task of restoring him to his former equinimity.

"Well," interrogated Mr. Gorham, helpfully, striving to assist him in
what was evidently a serious undertaking.

"You see, sir," James began, "there's another Mrs. Buckner."

"What!" cried Gorham, genuinely surprised and rising from his chair.
"Buckner has been married again, you say?"

"That's what I understand, sir; leastwise that's what he told me. He was
drunk when he said it, and perhaps that's why he did say it; but I
believe it's true."

James had the satisfaction of witnessing a sight which few men had seen
during Mr. Gorham's lifetime--he was visibly excited, and, what was
stranger still, he made no effort to conceal his emotion.

"If there is anything in what you say, James, this information is the
most cheering piece of news which I have heard for many a day. Now tell
me all you know about it."

In another half-hour James Riley was painfully making his way to the
nearest subway station, giving no indication, either in his face or in
his movements, as to whether the result of his mission had turned out
more or less favorably, in its financial probabilities, than would have
been the case had he followed his original intentions. He had found his
father waiting for him in the front hall after he came down-stairs from
Mr. Gorham's library, but the only remark the old man vouchsaf