button, which would
summon Bernini. She wanted her watchdog to see the visitor. She returned
to the living room. "What is it you wish to know?"

"Where I may find this Gregory."

"That nobody seems able to answer. He was carried away from here in an
ambulance; but we have been unable to locate the hospital. If you will
leave your name--"

"That is not necessary. I am out of bounds, you might say, and I'd
rather my name should be left out of the affair, which is rather
peculiar."

"In what way?"

"I am only an agent, and am not at liberty to speak. Could you describe
Gregory?"

"Then he is a stranger to you?"

"Absolutely."

Kitty described Gregor deliberately and at length. It struck her that
the visitor was becoming bored, though he nodded at times. She was glad
to hear Bernini's ring. She excused herself to admit the Italian.

"A false alarm," she whispered. "Someone inquiring for Gregor. I thought
it might be well for you to see him."

"I'll work the radiator stuff."

"Very well."

Bernini went into the living room and fussed over the steam cock of the
radiator.

"Nothing the matter with it, miss. Just stuck."

"Sorry to have troubled you," said the stranger, rising and picking up
his hat.

Bernini went down to the basement, obfuscated; for he knew the visitor.
He was one of the greatest bankers in New York--that is to say, in
America! Asking questions about Stefani Gregor!

CHAPTER XVI

About nine o'clock that same night a certain rich man, having
established himself comfortably under the reading lamp, a fine book
in his hands and a fine after-dinner cigar between his teeth, was
exceedingly resentful when his butler knocked, entered, and presented a
card.

"My orders were that I was not at home to any one."

"Yes, sir. But he said you would see him because he came to see you
regarding a Mr. Gregory."

"What?"

"Yes, sir."

"Damn these newspapers!... Wait, wait!" the banker called, for the
butler was starting for the door to carry the anathema to the appointed
head. "Bring him in. He's a big bug, and I can't afford to affront him."

"Yes, sir"--with the colourless tone of a perfect servant.

When the visitor entered he stopped just beyond the threshold. He
remained there even after the butler closed the door. Blue eye and gray
clashed; two masters of fence who had executed the same stroke. The
banker laughed and Cutty smiled.

"I suppose," said the banker, "you and I ought t