whispered and whispered, and nodded and nodded. Ordinarily he would
have observed these signs of feminine approval, for there was warm
blood in his veins, and it is proverbial that the Army man is
gallant. But to-night Diana and her white huntresses might have
passed him by and not aroused even a flicker of interest or surprise
on his face. There was only one pair of eyes, one face, and to see
these he would have gladly gone to the ends of the earth, travel-
weary though he was.

He smoked feverishly, and was somewhat troubled to find that he
hadn't quite got his land legs, as they say. The floor swayed at
intervals, and the throbbing of the engines came back. He left the
hotel, hailed a cab, and was driven down Fifth Avenue. He stopped
before the fortress of privileges. From the cab it looked very
formidable. Worldly as he was, he was somewhat innocent. He did not
know that New York hotels are formidable only when your money gives
out. To get past all these brass-buttoned lackeys and to go on as
though he really had business within took no small quantity of nerve.
However, he slipped by the outpost without any challenge and boldly
approached the desk. A quick glance at the register told him that
they had indeed put up at this hotel. He could not explain why he
felt so happy over his discovery. There are certain exultations which
are inexplicable. As he turned away from the desk, he bumped into a
gentleman almost as elegantly attired as himself.

"I beg your pardon!" he cried, stepping aside.

"What? Mr. _Warrr_burton?"

Mr. Robert, greatly surprised and confused, found himself shaking