Then he gave the waiter a couple of dollars out of his
own pocket and wrote Van Bibber's name on the check, and
walked in state into the cafe, where he ordered a green mint
and a heavy, black, and expensive cigar, and seated himself at
the window, where he felt that he should always have sat if
the fates had been just. The smoke hung in light clouds about
him, and the lights shone and glistened on the white cloths
and the broad shirt-fronts of the smart young men and
distinguished foreign-looking older men at the surrounding
tables.

And then, in the midst of his dreamings, he heard the
soft, careless drawl of his master, which sounded at that time
and in that place like the awful voice of a condemning judge.
Van Bibber pulled out a chair and dropped into it. His side
was towards Walters, so that he did not see him. He had some
men with him, and he was explaining how he had missed his
train and had come back to find that one of the party had
eaten the dinner without him, and he wondered who it could be;
and then turning easily in his seat he saw Walters with the
green mint and the cigar, trembling behind a copy of the
London Graphic.

"Walters!" said Van Bibber, "what are you doing here?"

Walters looked his guilt and rose stiffly. He began with
a feeble "If you please, sir--"

"Go back to my rooms and wait for me there," said Van