is chin touched his chest. He spoke without
looking up. "Something told me I would never see him alive again. Old
Stefani! If there is any good in me it will be his handiwork. I say,"
he added, his eyes now seeking Cutty's, "you called me John. Will you
carry on?"

"Keep an eye on you? So long as you may need me."

"I come from a lawless race. Stefani had to fight. Even now I'm afraid
sometimes. God knows I want to be all he tried to make me."

"You're all right, John. You've reached haven; the storms hereafter will
be outside. Besides, Stefani will always be with you. You'll never pick
up that old Amati without feeling Stefani near. Can you stand?"

"Between the two of you, perhaps."

With Kitty on one side and Cutty on the other Hawksley managed the
descent tolerably well. Often a foot dragged. How strong she was, this
girl! No hysterics, no confusion, after all that racket, with death--or
something worse--reaching out toward her; calmly telling him that there
was another step, warning him not to bear too heavily on Cutty! Holding
him up physically and morally, these two, now all he had in life to care
for. Yesterday, unknown to him; this night, bound by hoops of steel.
The girl had forgiven him; he knew it by the touch of her arm.... Old
Stefani! A sob escaped him. Their arms tightened.

"No; I was thinking of Stefani. Rather hard--to die all alone--because
he loved me."

Kitty longed to be alone. There were still many unshed tears--some for
Cutty, some for Stefani Gregor, some for Johnny Two-Hawks, and some for
herself.

In the limousine Cutty sat in the middle, Kitty on his left and Hawksley
on his right, his arms round them both. Presently Hawksley's head
touched his shoulder and rested there; a little later Kitty did
likewise. His children! Lord, he was going to have a tremendous interest
in life, after all! He smiled with kindly irony at the back of the
chauffeur. His children, these two; and he knew as he planned their
future that they were thinking over and round but not of him, which is
the way of youth.

At the apartment Cutty decided to let Hawksley sit in an easy chair in
the living room until Captain Harrison arrived. Kuroki was ordered
to prepare a supper, which would be served on the tea cart, set at
Hawksley's knees. Kitty--because it was impossible for her to remain
inactive--set the linen and silver. She was in and out of the room, ill
at ease, angry, frightened, bitter, avoiding Hawksley'