n the
bars to the primordial, the instinctive, and the natural. Thus the Cutty
who stepped out beside Kitty into the drizzle was not the Cutty she
had admitted into the apartment. She did not recognize this remarkable
transition until later; and then she discovered that Cutty, the suave
and lackadaisical in idleness, was a tremendous animal hibernating
behind a crackle shell.

Ordinarily Cutty would have declined to come through this shell, thin as
it was; he liked these catnaps between great activities. But this
lovely creature was Conover's daughter, and she would have the seventh
sense-divination of the born reporter. Something big was in the air.

"Go on!" he said, briskly. "I'm at your heels. And stoop as you pass
those hall windows. No use throwing a silhouette for somebody in those
rear houses to see.... Old Tommy Conover's daughter, sure pop!...
There you go, under the ladder! You've dished the whole affair, whatever
it is.... No, no! Just spoofing, Kitty. A long face is no good anywhere,
even at a funeral.... This window? All right. Know where the lights are?
Very good."

When Cutty saw the man on the floor he knelt quickly. "Nasty bang on
the head, but he's alive. What's this? His cap. Poughkeepsie. By George,
padded with his handkerchief! Must have known something was going to
fall on him. Now, what's it all about?"

"When we get him to my apartment."

"Yours? Good Lord, what's the matter with this?"

"They tried to kill him here. They might return to see if they had
succeeded. They mustn't find where he has gone. I'm strong. I can take
hold of his knees."

"Tut! Neither of us could walk backward over that fire escape. He looks
husky, but I'll try it. Now obey me without question or comment. You'll
have to help me get him outside the window and in through yours.
Between the two windows I can handle him alone. I only hope we shan't
be noticed, for that might prove awkward. Now take hold. That's it.
When I'm through the window just push his legs outside." Panting, Kitty
obeyed. "All right," said Cutty. "I like your pluck. You run along ahead
and be ready to help me in with him. A healthy beggar! Here goes."

With a heave and a hunch and another heave Cutty stood up, the limp body
disposed scientifically across his shoulders. Kitty was quite impressed
by this exhibition of strength in a man whom she considered as
elderly--old. There was an underthought that such feats of bodily
prowess were reserved fo