last," commented
Chester as the Imp turned a dizzy curve and shot away. "It's the only
proper thing. But we've really enough time if you don't stop anywhere
else. What's the matter? Good Lord, man, you'll get nabbed if you speed
up like this within limits. You--"

"Cut it and don't talk. I've got to make time," was all the answer
or explanation he received; and Chester, with the wisdom of long
association with Red Pepper at his pepperest, obeyed.

As they approached the house Burns spoke for the first time since they
had left the city. "Go in and tell the bunch I have to do an operation
at the hospital as quick as I can get my stuff and drive back there.
I'll be back at--"

"Great Christopher, man! But--"

"I can be back by two. Ellen will understand."

"The deuce she will! Don't ask me to explain to her."

"I won't. I'll do it myself. You tell the rest."

The Imp shot up the driveway. Burns jumped out and ran to his office.
Five minutes later, instrument bag in hand, he ran out again, Miss
Mathewson following. He bolted in at the Macauleys' front door. Chester
had already broken the incredible news to Martha Macauley and was
standing out a storm of expostulations and reproaches, as if by any
chance anybody could expect Arthur Chester to be able to stop R. P.
Burns when he had started upon any course of action whatsoever. But when
Burns himself appeared at the doorway the situation came to a crisis.
Towering beside a group of palms which decorated the foot of the
staircase Burns demanded to see Ellen.

"Why, Red, you can't. She's--besides how can you--"

"Ask her to come where I can speak to her then. Quick, please."

"But she--"

There was no knowing how long the sparring might have lasted, or what
extreme measures might have been taken, had not a figure in a floating
lilac-and-white garment, with two long braids of dark hair hanging over
its shoulders, appeared upon the staircase landing. Burns looked up, saw
it, and was up the stairs to the landing before Chester could flick an
eyelash.

"Dear, to save a life I want to delay things just two hours. There's
nobody else to do it. Van Horn was taken ill just as he was
getting ready. The only other man who would venture under the
conditions--Grayson--is out of town."

His arms were about her as she stood a step above him. So, her eyes were
level with his.

"Do it, of course," she whispered. "And take my love with you."

For one minute Burns stayed to t