Five minutes later the taxicab drew up in front of a hotel. The
unknown stepped out, took a leather purse from his pocket and
carefully counted out in silver two dollars and twenty cents, which
he poured into the chauffeur's palm.

"Thank you, sir."

"You are an American?"

"Sure! I was born in this burg."

"Like the idea?"

"Huh?"

"The idea of being an American?"

"I should say yes! This is one grand little gob o' mud, believe me!
It's going to be dry in a little while, and then it will be some
grand little old brick. Say, let me give you a tip! The gas in
this joint is extra if you blow it out!"

Grinning, the chauffeur threw on the power and wheeled away into
the fog.

His late fare followed the vehicle with his gaze until it reached
the vanishing point, then he laughed. An American cockney! He
turned and entered the hotel. He marched resolutely up to the
desk and roused the sleeping clerk, who swung round the register.
The unknown without hesitance inscribed his name, which was John