I left the house about ten o'clock, went downtown and found the
prodigal at a cheap hotel on Pennsylvania. He was looking over some
boots and leggings and ready-made riding breeches.

"Aha, Chuck, so here you are!"

"Look here, Bob, this will never do at all," I began.

"I thought we had threshed all that out thoroughly this morning."

"I left Nancy crying over your blamed callousness."

"Nancy? Hang it, I don't want Nancy to waste any tears over me; I'm
not worth it."

"Precious little you care! If it wasn't for the fact that you have
told me the true state of things, I should have exposed you to-night.
Why didn't you turn up to dinner as you promised? You might at least
have gone through the pretense of saying good-by to them."

"My dear boy, I'll admit that my conduct is nefarious. But look;
Nancy knows Miss Annesley, and they will be calling on each other.
The truth is, I dare not let the girls see me without a beard. And
I'm too far gone into the thing to back out now."

"I honestly hope that some one recognizes you and gives you away," I
declared indignantly.

"Thanks. You're in love with Nancy, aren't you? To be sure. Well,
wouldn't you do anything to keep around where she is, to serve her,