CHAPTER XIII





Alice was up early the next morning to go to church with Harry
Curtiss, but Montague, who had really come to rest, was later in
arising. Afterwards he took a stroll through the streets, watching
the people. He was met by Mrs. De Graffenried, who, after her usual
fashion, invited him to come round to lunch. He went, and met about
forty other persons who had been invited in the same casual way,
including his brother Ollie--and to his great consternation, Ollie's
friend, Mr. Gamble!

Gamble was clad in a spotless yachting costume, which produced a
most comical effect upon his expansive person. He greeted Montague
with his usual effusiveness. "How do you do, Mr. Montague--how do
you do?" he said. "I've been hearing about you since I met you
last."

"In what way?" asked Montague.

"I understand that you have gone with the Mississippi Steel
Company," said Gamble.

"After a fashion," the other assented.

"You want to be careful--you are dealing with a smooth crowd!
Smoother even than the men in the Trust, I fancy." And the little