he card."

Margot handed him the paper with the address of the old friend with
whom her uncle wished her to stop while she was in the city; but the
moment the policeman looked at it his face fell.

"Why, there isn't any such place, now. All them houses has been torn
down to put up a sky-scraper. They were torn down six months ago."

"Why, how can that be? This lady has lived in that house all her life,
my uncle said. She is a widow, very gentle and refined: she was quite
poor; though once she had plenty of money. She took boarders, to keep
a roof over her head; and it isn't at all likely that she would tear
it down and so destroy her only income. You must be mistaken. Won't
you ask somebody else, who knows more about the city, please?"

The officer bridled, and puffed out his mighty chest. Was not he "one
of the finest"? as the picked policemen are termed. If he didn't know
the streets of the metropolis, who did?

Margot saw that she had made a serious mistake. Her head turned giddy,
the crowd seemed to surge and close about her, and with a sense of
utter failure and homesickness she fainted away.

CHAPTER XXI

IN THE GREAT RAILWAY STATION

"There, dear, you are better. Drink this."

Margot opened her eyes in the big waiting-room for women at the great
station. A kind-faced woman in a white cap and apron was bending over
her and holding a cup of bouillon to her lips, which obediently opened
and received the draught with grateful refreshment.

"Thank you. That is good. Where am I? Who are you?"

The attendant explained: and added, with intent to comfort:

"You are all right. You will be cared for. It was the long going
without food and the sudden confusion of arrival. The Indian says you
have not eaten in a long time. He is here, I could not keep him out.
Is--is he safe?"

The hot, strong soup, and the comforting presence restored the girl so
far that she could laugh.

"Joe safe? Our own dear old Joseph Wills? Why, madam, he is the very
best guide in all the state of Maine. Aren't you, Joe? And my uncle's
most trusted friend. Else he would not be here with me. What happened
to me that things got so queer?"

"You fainted. That's all."

"I? Why, I never did such a thing in my life before."

Joe drew near. His face seemed still impassive but there was a look of
profound concern in his small, black eyes.

"Wouldn' eat. Get sick. Joe said. Joe hungry, too."

Margot sat up, instantly, smitten wi