first definite
realization after his return to consciousness in the hospital when,
knowing now her relation to Spearman, he had found all questions which
concerned his relations with the people here made immeasurably more
acute by the attack upon him.

She asked him to come in and stay for luncheon, as they reached her
home, but she asked it without urging; at his refusal she moved slowly
up the steps; but she halted when she saw that he did not go on.

"Miss Sherrill," he said, looking up at her, "how much money is there
in your house?"

She smiled, amused and a little perplexed; then sobered as she saw his
intentness on her answer.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"I mean--how much is ordinarily kept there?"

"Why, very little in actual cash. We pay everything by
check--tradesmen and servants; and even if we happen not to have a
charge account where we make a purchase, they know who we are and are
always willing to charge it to us."

"Thank you. It would be rather unusual then for you--or your
neighbors--to have currency at hand exceeding the hundreds?"

"Exceeding the hundreds? That means in the thousands--or at least one
thousand; yes, for us, it would be quite unusual."

She waited for him to explain why he had asked; it was not, she felt
sure, for any reason which could readily suggest itself to her. But he
only thanked her again and lifted his hat and moved away. Looking
after him from the window after she had entered the house, she saw him
turn the corner in the direction of Astor Street.

CHAPTER XI

A CALLER

As the first of the month was approaching, Wassaquam had brought his
household bills and budget to Alan that morning directly after
breakfast. The accounts, which covered expenses for the month just
ending and a small amount of cash to be carried for the month
beginning, were written upon a sheet of foolscap in neat, unshaded
writing exactly like the models in a copybook--each letter formed as
carefully and precisely as is the work done upon an Indian basket. The
statement accounted accurately for a sum of cash in hand upon the first
of February, itemized charged expenses, and totaled the bills. For
March, Wassaquam evidently proposed a continuance of the establishment
upon the present lines. To provide for that, and to furnish Alan with
whatever sums he needed, Sherrill had made a considerable deposit in
Alan's name in the bank where he carried his own account; and Alan ha