she laughed, "they talk that way at Baldpate--the last weeks of
summer. It's part of the game." They had come to the side of the hotel
on which was the annex, and the girl stopped and pointed. "Look!" she
whispered breathlessly.

In a window of the annex had appeared for a moment a flickering yellow
light. But only for a moment.

"I know," said Mr. Magee. "There's somebody in there. But that isn't
important in comparison. This is no summer affair, dear. Look to the
thermometer for proof. I love you. And when you go away, I shall
follow."

"And the book--"

"I have found better inspiration than Baldpate Inn."

They walked along for a time in silence.

"You forget," said the girl, "you only know who has the money."

"I will get it," he answered confidently. "Something tells me I will.
Until I do, I am content to say no more."

"Good-by," said the girl. She stood in the window of her room, while a
harsh voice called "That you, dearie?" from inside. "And I may add," she
smiled, "that in my profession--a following is considered
quite--desirable."

She disappeared, and Mr. Magee, after a few minutes in his room,
descended again to the office. In the center of the room, Elijah Quimby
and Hayden stood face to face.

"What is it, Quimby?" asked Magee.

"I just ran up to see how things were going," Quimby replied, "and I
find him here."

"Our latest guest," smiled Magee.

"I was just reminding Mr. Hayden," Quimby said, his teeth set, an angry
light in his eyes, "that the last time we met he ordered me from his
office. I told you, Mr. Magee, that the Suburban Railway once promised
to make use of my invention. Then Mr. Kendrick went away--and this man
took charge. When I came around to the offices again--he laughed at me.
When I came the second time, he called me a loafer and ordered me out."

He paused, and faced Hayden again.

"I've grown bitter, here on the mountain," he said, "as I've thought
over what you and men like you said to me--as I've thought of what might
have been--and what was--yes, I've grown pretty bitter. Time after time
I've gone over in my mind that scene in your office. As I've sat here
thinking you've come to mean to me all the crowd that made a fool of me.
You've come to mean to me all the crowd that said 'The public be damned'
in my ear. I haven't ever forgot--how you ordered me out of your
office."

"Well?" asked Hayden.

"And now," Quimby went on, "I find you trespassing in a hotel l