? It seems to me if a man's on the point of
death"--he lowered his voice and glanced toward the closed door--"that
his private doctor and his lawyer might know something about it."

Standing alone with his back to the window was a reporter who had
greeted no one and to whom no one had spoken.

Had he held himself erect he would have been tall, but he stood
slouching lazily, his shoulders bent, his hands in his pockets. When he
spoke his voice was in keeping with the indolence of his bearing. It was
soft, hesitating, carrying with it the courteous deference of the South.
Only his eyes showed that to what was going forward he was alert and
attentive.

"Is Dr. Rainey Mr. Hallowell's family doctor?" he asked.

Irving surveyed him in amused superiority.

"He is!" he answered. "You been long in New York?" he asked.

Upon the stranger the sarcasm was lost, or he chose to ignore it, for he
answered simply, "No, I'm a New Orleans boy. I've just been taken on the
Republic."

"Welcome to our city," said Irving. "What do you think of our Main
Street?"

From the hall a tall portly man entered the room with the assurance of
one much at home here and, with an exclamation, Irving fell upon him.

"Good morning, Judge," he called. He waved at him the clipping from the
Despatch. "Have you seen this?"

Judge Gaylor accepted the slip of paper gingerly, and in turn moved
his fine head pompously toward each of the young men. Most of them
were known to him, but for the moment he preferred to appear too deeply
concerned to greet them. With an expression of shocked indignation, he
recognized only Walsh.

"Yes, I have seen it," he said, "and there is not a word of truth in it!
Mr. Walsh, I am surprised! You, of all people!"

"We got it on very good authority," said the reporter.

"But why not call me up and get the facts?" demanded the Judge. "I was
here until twelve o'clock, and--"

"Here!" interrupted Irving. "Then he did have a collapse?"

Judge Gaylor swung upon his heel.

"Certainly not," he retorted angrily. "I was here on business, and I
have never known his mind more capable, more alert." He lifted his hands
with an enthusiastic gesture. "I wish you could have seen him!"

"Well," urged Irving, "how about our seeing him now?"

For a moment Judge Gaylor permitted his annoyance to appear, but he at
once recovered and, murmuring cheerfully, "Certainly, certainly; I'll
try to arrange it," turned to the butler who had re