while with the
president. Then he called at a steamship office. After that he spent
twenty minutes with the head of one of the large schools for boys in the
city. Then he returned to his office.

"A Mr. D'Alloi is waiting for you in your private office, sir," he was
told. "He said that he was an old friend and insisted on going in
there."

Peter passed into his office.

Watts cried: "My dear boy, how can I ever--"

He was holding out his hand, but Peter failed to take it, and
interrupted him.

"I have arranged it all with Madame Lacour," Peter said coldly. "She
sails on La Bretagne on Thursday. You are to buy an annuity for three
thousand dollars a year. In addition, you are to buy an annuity for the
boy till he is twenty-five, of one thousand dollars a year, payable to
me as his guardian. This will cost you between forty and fifty thousand
dollars. I will notify you of the amount when the insurance company
sends it to me. In return for your check, I shall send you the letters
and other things you sent Madame Lacour, or burn them, as you direct.
Except for this the affair is ended. I need not detain you further."

"Oh, I say, chum. Don't take it this way," cried Watts. "Do you
think--?"

"I end it as suits me," said Peter. "Good-day."

"But, at least you must let me pay you a fee for your work?"

Peter turned on Watts quickly, but checked the movement and the words on
his tongue. He only reiterated. "Good-day."

"Well, if you will have it so." Watts went to the door, but hesitated.
"Just as you please. If, later, you change your mind, send me word. I
shan't cherish any feeling for this. I want to be friends."

"Good-day," said Peter. Watts passed out, closing the door.

Peter sat down at his desk, doing nothing, for nearly an hour. How long
he would have sat will never be known, if his brown study had not been
ended by Rivington's entrance. "The Appeals have just handed down their
decision in the Henley case. We win."

"I thought we should," said Peter mechanically.

"Why, Peter! What's the matter with you? You look as seedy as--"

"As I feel," said Peter. "I'm going to stop work and take a ride, to see
if I can't knock some of my dulness out of me." Within an hour he was at
the Riding Club.

"Hello," said the stable man. "Twice in one day! You're not often here
at this hour, sir. Which horse will you have?"

"Give me whichever has the most life in him."

"It's Mutineer has the devil in him alway