"It won't matter, sir, so far as I am concerned. She--"

"She has come back, my boy, determined to go on with her plans.
I am sorry, Graydon, but I am at last convinced that she means to
give her life to the work."

"By Heaven, Mr. Cable, she shall not do it! I can't live without
her," cried Graydon miserably. Cable smiled sadly as he shook his
head.

At half past seven o'clock Jane Cable and Graydon met Droom at
Sherry's. She was paler than usual and there was a queer chill in
her heart. Bansemer was more nervous than he had ever been before
in his life.

Elias Droom, the strangest creature in the big restaurant, arose
to greet them as they entered the doors. He had been waiting inside
and out for half an hour, and his welcome was quite in keeping with
his character, He uttered a few gruff words of greeting to her,
accompanied by a perfunctory smile that gave out no warmth; then
he started off with rude haste toward the table he had reserved.
Not a word concerning her welfare, her health, her return to the
homeland--no sign of interest or consideration. They followed him
silently, anxiously.

The old man was conspicuously repulsive in his finery. It is
unnecessary to say that his clothes did not fit his lank figure:
tailors cannot perform miracles. His long chin was carefully shaven,
but the razor could not remove the ruts and creases that hid the