young women were gossiping and smoking as the last comers
appeared. Some one raised a vigorous complaint at the host's
tardiness, but Hammon laughed a rejoinder, then gave a signal,
whereupon folding-doors at the end of the room were thrown back.
From within an orchestra struck up a popular rag-time air, and
those nearest the banquet-hall moved toward it. A girl whom
Lorelei recognized as a fellow-member of the Revue danced up to
her escort with arms extended, and the two turkey-trotted into the
larger room.

Hammon was introducing two of his friends--one a languid, middle-
aged man who was curled up in a deep chair with a cigarette
between his fingers; the other a large-featured person with a
rumbling voice. The men had been arguing earnestly, oblivious of
the confusion around them; but now the former dropped his
cigarette, uncoiled his long form, and, rising, bowed courteously.
His appearance as he faced Lorelei was prepossessing, and she
breathed a thanksgiving as she took his arm.

Hammon clapped the other gentleman upon the shoulder, crying: "The
rail market will take care of itself until to-morrow, Hannibal.
What is more to the point, I saw your supper partner flirting with
'Handsome Dan' Avery. Better find her quick."

Lorelei recognized the deep-voiced man as Hannibal C. Wharton, one
of the dominant figures in the Steel Syndicate; she knew him
instantly from his newspaper pictures. The man beside her,
however, was a stranger, and she raised her eyes to his with some
curiosity. He was studying her with manifest admiration, despite
the fact that his lean features were cast in a sardonic mold.