hen in truth he was being driven toward a wall
in which there would be no breach! Behind and in front the net was
closing. Up to this hour he had been extremely clever in avoiding
contact. This was his first stupid act--thought the fog would serve as
an impenetrable cloak.

Meantime, the other man reached into the taxicab and awoke the sleeping
chauffeur.

"A hotel," he said.

"Which one?"

"Any one will do."

"Yes, sir. Two dollars."

"When we arrive. No; I'll take the bag inside with me." Inside the cab
the fare chuckled. For those who fished there would be no fish in the
net. This fog--like a kindly hand reaching down from heaven!

Five minutes later the taxicab drew up in front of a hotel. The unknown
stepped out, took a leather purse from his pocket and carefully counted
out in silver two dollars and twenty cents, which he poured into the
chauffeur's palm.

"Thank you, sir."

"You are an American?"

"Sure! I was born in this burg."

"Like the idea?"

"Huh?"

"The idea of being an American?"

"I should say yes! This is one grand little gob o' mud, believe me! It's
going to be dry in a little while, and then it will be some grand little
old brick. Say, let me give you a tip! The gas in this joint is extra if
you blow it out!"

Grinning, the chauffeur threw on the power and wheeled away into the
fog.

His late fare followed the vehicle with his gaze until it reached the
vanishing point, then he laughed. An American cockney! He turned and
entered the hotel. He marched resolutely up to the desk and roused
the sleeping clerk, who swung round the register. The unknown without
hesitance inscribed his name, which was John Hawksley. But he hesitated
the fraction of a second before adding his place of residence--London.

"A room with a bath, if you please; second flight. Have the man call me
at seven."

"Yes, sir. Here, boy!"

Sleepily the bellboy lifted the battered kitbag and led the way to the
elevator.

"Bawth!" said the night clerk, as the elevator door slithered to the
latch. "Bawth! The old dear!"

He returned to his chair, hoping that he would not be disturbed again
until he was relieved.

What do we care, so long as we don't know? What's the stranger to us but
a fleeting shadow? The Odysseys that pass us every day, and we none the
wiser!

The clerk had not properly floated away into dreams when he was again
roused. Resentfully he opened his eyes. A huge fist covered with a
fell of