ittle reproachfully. "My, but I'm
hungry! Strange how hungry cold turkey makes a guy!"

"Why, then," said Ravenslee, pitching his hat into a corner, "sit down,
comrade, and 'let mirth with unconfin_ed_ wing'--" Ravenslee yawned.

"I guess we'd better wait a bit, Geoff."

"What for?"

"Hermy."

"Is she--do you mean she's back?" enquired Ravenslee, sitting up.

"Yes, she didn't stay at Englewood; she's down-stairs, doctoring Tony's
kid."

"But what will she think of all these confounded messes?"

"Messes!" cried Spike indignantly. "Cheese it, Geoff--look at that
turk'!"

"But--do you think she'll--mind?" enquired Ravenslee uneasily.

"Mind?" said Spike, staring. "Not on your life--why should she? Besides,
it's kind o' lucky you happened to blow in with this free lunch; she's a
bit shy on the dollar question this month--an' Mulligan comes t'morrow.
An' oh, say, Geoff--she's dead set on findin' out how I met you an'--an'
where."

"Very naturally!" murmured Ravenslee.

"An' we must tell her something--but what?"

"Spike, you've forgotten the mustard! And as for--er--lying to your
sister, let our motto be 'sufficient unto the day.' Our present need
is mustard, Spike."

"Say, this sure is goin' t' be some supper, Geoff!" said Spike, setting
on the mustard and gazing at the array of edibles with shining eyes.
"Gee, I could eat cold turkey all night!"

"Have we everything ready, Spike?"

"Except butter, Geoff."

"Ha! the one thing I forgot, of course! Cut off and get some like the
good fellow you are!" and Ravenslee flicked a bill into Spike's hand,
who, seizing his cap, promptly vanished. Being alone, Ravenslee crossed
to the sideboard, and taking thence a certain photograph, seated himself
in the easy-chair and fell to studying it with deep and grave attention.
And sitting thus, he let fancy run riot--and fancy was singularly
pleasing to judge by the glow in his eyes and the tender smile that
curved his lip.

He was lost deep within his dreams when he was aware of a loud knock
upon the outer door which Spike had left unlatched and, replacing the
photograph, he rose.

"Come in!" said he. A heavy step sounded in the little hall, the door
was pushed open, and a man entered. He was a young man, big and
broad-shouldered, and Ravenslee's keen eyes were quick to heed the
length and ponderous carriage of the arms, the girth of chest, and firm,
heavy poise of the feet; lastly he looked at the face, aggressivel