e've been looking
for you."

"Hello there," put in Will.

"Have you? That's good of you," said Bob. He had himself well in hand
now. I was glad of that. "I went out for breakfast," he explained. "I
was sure to show up, however. I have a five o'clock appointment this
afternoon," and he took off his overcoat, swung his chair about, and sat
down.

For two hours he sat opposite me there without a single reference to the
night before. You might have thought I never had seen him cast that
newspaper aside and unceremoniously burst out of the hotel. We talked
about all sorts of indifferent subjects. Finally I leaned over and asked
Will if he didn't want to go into the smoking-car.

"Understand?" I inquired.

"Surely," he replied, "surely, I do, Miss Canny," and left us.

A half-an-hour outside New London Bob began to talk. "Do you want to
hear about last night?" he asked me.

"If you want to tell me," I replied.

"Well, I found her. I found Ruth."

"Yes, I know you did, Bob."

"Do you know _where_ I found her?"

"Why, no. Of course I don't."

"Well, I'll tell you. After I left you I went first to the Madison
Avenue address. It wasn't until I gave the lady at the desk of that club
the impression that I came bearing news of some serious nature connected
with Ruth's family, that she gave me the address where Ruth's mail is
forwarded. She told me it was Ruth's place of business. It was an
address up near the region of the Park, no name, just the bare street
and number. I called 'information,' and finally the house on the 'phone.
I was informed Miss Vars would not be in until after dinner. So I
waited, and about half-past eight went up there. I found the house--a
big, impressive affair, grilled iron fence close to it in front, very
fine, very luxurious; all the windows curtained darkly, with a glow of
brightness through the cracks here and there. I hesitated to present
myself. I walked up and down twice in front of the house, wondering if
it would be wiser to call Ruth by telephone and make an appointment.
Then suddenly some one inside opened an upper window--it was a warm
night. I saw a man draw aside the laces, raise the shade, and throw up
the sash. I saw beyond into the room. I saw Ruth. She was sitting
beneath a bright light, on a sofa. She was sewing. She seemed quite at
home. I saw the man turn away from the window and go back and sit down
on the sofa beside her. I saw him stretch out, put one hand in his
poc