sed to do a favor for your daughter. She told
him, and I told him, to notify Mr. Hood that Miss Carvel was here, and
he refused."

Mr. Hopper continued his occupation, which was absorbing. But he was
listening.

Colonel Carvel pulled his goatee, and smiled.

"Clarence," said he, "I reckon I can run this establishment without any
help from you and Jinny. I've been at it now for a good many years."

If Mr. Barbo had not been constitutionally unlucky, he might have
perceived Mr. Hopper, before dark that evening, in conversation with Mr.
Hood about a certain customer who lived up town, and presently leave the
store by the side entrance. He walked as rapidly as his legs would carry
him, for they were a trifle short for his body; and in due time, as the
lamps were flickering, he arrived near Colonel Carvel's large double
residence, on Tenth and Locust streets. Then he walked slowly along
Tenth, his eyes lifted to the tall, curtained windows. Now and anon they
scanned passers-by for a chance acquaintance.

Mr. Hopper walked around the block, arriving again opposite the Carvel
house, and beside Mr. Renault's, which was across from it. Eliphalet had
inherited the principle of mathematical chances. It is a fact that
the discreet sometimes take chances. Towards the back of Mr. Renault's
residence, a wide area was sunk to the depth of a tall man, which
was apparently used for the purpose of getting coal and wood into the
cellar. Mr. Hopper swept the neighborhood with a glance. The coast was
clear, and he dropped into the area.

Although the evening was chill, at first Mr. Hopper perspired very
freely. He crouched in the area while the steps of pedestrians beat
above his head, and took no thought but of escape. At last, however, he
grew cooler, removed his hat, and peeped over the stone coping. Colonel
Carvel's house--her house--was now ablaze with lights, and the shades
not yet drawn. There was the dining room, where the negro butler
was moving about the table; and the pantry, where the butler went
occasionally; and the kitchen, with black figures moving about. But
upstairs on the two streets was the sitting room. The straight figure
of the Colonel passed across the light. He held a newspaper in his hand.
Suddenly, full in the window, he stopped and flung away the paper. A
graceful shadow slipped across the wall. Virginia laid her hands on
his shoulders, and he stooped to kiss her. Now they sat between the
curtains, she on t