d he shrugged
impatiently. "I don't know anybody named 'Hugh Gordon' and there's
nobody in here anyway. The sound must have come from the hall, or,
maybe, from the street."

His eyes fell upon the clock and he started with surprise. "Why, it
can't be that late! Only a moment ago I looked and it was--I couldn't
have seen straight or something's gone wrong with it. Anyway, I'd
better get a move on."

He turned briskly to the mirror to resume the operation of shaving and
stared again as he put out his hand to pick up the razor. For it was
not where he had laid it down a moment before. His wondering glance
quickly discovered it on the other side of the dressing table, and
bewildered amazement overspread his countenance. It was laden with the
results of recent use.

"The devil!" he gasped. "I hadn't shaved! I hadn't even lathered!"

But the half fearful look of inquiry he darted into the mirror showed
his face to be freshly shaven, and in the usual manner, except the
upper lip, where had been left the faint, dark stubble of a mustache.

CHAPTER II

"LIKE OTTAR OF ROSES OUT OF AN OTTER"

"Breakfast is a little late, Harry. Delia is in one of her
introspective moods and it has made her slow. I hope you won't miss
your boat!"

She turned an anxious face toward her sister, who was entering the
room, and Henrietta Marne smiled reassuringly, as she set down a
suitcase, laid her hat and coat upon a chair, and replied in a hearty,
cheerful tone:

"No, indeed! I've plenty of time. And I was glad to have an extra five
minutes with mother. Do you think she's better than she was yesterday?
Bella, I'm afraid I ought not to go to Mr. Brand's theatre party
tonight!" And her countenance clouded with anxiety as they seated
themselves at the breakfast table.

"Don't think of missing it, Harry! Mother will be all right. She
seems a lot better this morning."

"Y-e-s, I thought so, but I'm afraid she'll miss me tonight. It always
seems to please her when I come home in the evening."

"Of course, dear, we'll both miss you! You're the man of our
household, you know, and you go out and battle with the world every
day and bring us a fresh breath from it every night!"

"And you always 'meet me with a smile,'" laughed Henrietta.

"Of course! And we'll be twice as glad to see you tomorrow night, and
we'll smile twice as big a smile, because you'll have such a lot of
things to tell us."

"Mr. Brand has a curious effect upon