ative, the Mayor looked keenly at the woman.

"Kate, have you and Bob Ridley had a quarrel?"

"Bob Ridley knows too much to quarrel with me," she said briefly.

"Then you are doing this for no motive other than that which you tell
me?"

"Certainly. That's motive enough--ain't it?"

"Yes." The Mayor took his feet off his companion's chair and sat
upright. Colonel Pendleton did the same, also removing his cigar from
his lips. "I suppose you'll think this thing over?" he added.

"No--I want it done NOW--right here--in this office."

"But you know it will be irrevocable."

"That's what I want it--something might happen afterwards."

"But you are leaving nothing for yourself, and if you are going to
devote everything to this daughter and lead a different life, you'll"--

"Who said I was?"

The two men paused, and looked at her. "Look here, boys, you don't
understand. From the day that paper is signed, I've nothing to do with
the child. She passes out of my hands into yours, to be schooled,
educated, and made a rich girl out of--and never to know who or what or
where I am. She doesn't know now. I haven't given her and myself away
in that style--you bet! She thinks I'm only a friend. She hasn't seen
me more than once or twice, and not to know me again. Why, I was down
there the other day, and passed her walking out with the Sisters and
the other scholars, and she didn't know me--though one of the Sisters
did. But they're mum--THEY are, and don't let on. Why, now I think of
it, YOU were down there, Jack, presiding in big style as Mr. Mayor at
the exercises. You must have noticed her. Little thing, about
nine--lot of hair, the same color as mine, and brown eyes. White and
yellow sash. Had a necklace on of real pearls I gave her. I BOUGHT
THEM, you understand, myself at Tucker's--gave two hundred and fifty
dollars for them--and a big bouquet of white rosebuds and lilacs I sent
her."

"I remember her now on the platform," said the Mayor gravely. "So that
is your child?"

"You bet--no slouch either. But that's neither here nor there. What I
want now is you and Harry to look after her and her property the same
as if I didn't live. More than that, as if I had NEVER LIVED. I've
come to you two boys, because I reckon you're square men and won't give
me away. But I want to fix it even firmer than that. I want you to
take hold of this trust not as Jack Hammersley, but as the MAYOR OF SAN
FRANCISCO