stopped short.

"Colonel Pendleton! Oh, do tell me all about him!" flashed out
Yerba, suddenly, with clasped hands and eager girlish breath.

Paul cast a quick grateful glance at the girl. Whether assumed or
not, her enthusiastic outburst was effective. The Mayor looked
uneasily at Woods, and turned to Paul.

"Ah, yes! You and he are original co-trustees. I believe
Pendleton is in reduced circumstances. Never quite got over that
bank trouble."

"That is only a question of legislative investigation and relief,"
said Paul lightly, yet with purposely vague official mystery of
manner. Then, turning quickly to Yerba, as if replying to the only
real question at issue, he continued pointedly, "I am sorry to say
the colonel's health is so poor that it keeps him quite a recluse.
I have a letter from him and a message for you." His bright eyes
added plainly--"as soon as we can get rid of those people."

"Then you think that a bill"--began the Mayor, eagerly.

"I think, my dear sir," said Paul plaintively, "that I and my
friends have already tried the patience of these two young ladies
quite enough yesterday with politics and law-making. I have to
catch the six-o'clock train to San Francisco this evening, and have
already lost the time I hoped to spend with Miss Yerba by missing
her at the convent. Let me stroll on here, if you like, and if I
venture to monopolize the attention of this young lady for half an