d listened with evident
interest to a business discussion between Richard and his associates, in
the course of which he discovered that however much or little Richard
had learned, he could speak intelligently concerning the matters then in
hand. He went to lunch with Richard and Hugh Benson at a hotel, and
listened again, for a decision was to be made which called for haste,
and no time could be lost in the consideration of it.

He spent the afternoon driving Richard's car on up the state, returning
in time to pick up his friend at the appointed hour, late in the
afternoon, at which they were to start back to the city. Up to the last
moment of their departure business still had the upper hand, and it was
not until Benson and Kendrick parted at the curb that it ended for the
day, as far as Richard's part in it was concerned.

"Six hours you've been at it," remarked Lorimer, as the car swung away
under Richard's hand. "It makes me fatigued all over to contemplate such
zeal."

"Tell that to the men who really work. I'm getting off easy, to cut and
run at the end of six hours."

"Rich--" began his friend, then he paused. "By the Lord Harry, I'd like
to know what's got you. I can't make you and the old Rich fit together
at all. You and your books--you and your music--and your pictures--your
polo--your 'wine, women, and song'--"

"Take that last back," commanded Richard Kendrick, with sudden heat.
"You know I've never gone in for that sort of thing, except as all our
old crowd went in together. Personally, I haven't cared for it, and you
know it. It's travel and adventure I've cared for--"

"And that you're throwing over now for a country shop."

"That I'm throwing over now to learn the ABC in the training school of
responsibility for the big load that's to come on my shoulders. I've
been asleep all these years. Thank Heaven I've waked up in time. It's no
merit of mine--"

"Mind telling me whose it is, then?"

"I should mind, very much--if you'll excuse me."

"Oh--beg pardon," drawled Lorimer.

Silence followed for a brief space, broken by Richard's voice, in its
old, genial tone.

"Tell me more about the cruise. It's great that you can have your
father's yacht. I thought he always used it through the summer."

"He's gone daffy on monoplanes--absolutely daffy. Can't see anything
else."

"I don't blame him. I might have gone in for aviation myself, if I
hadn't got this bigger game on my hands."

"Bigger--th