ept Selwyn. He did not ask me. Bravely, however, he did his
part. He overlooked no one, and David Guard, watching, blinked his
eyes a bit and smiled. Selwyn would make a magnificent martyr. A
situation forced upon him is always met head up.

Mr. Crimm, who, like his wife, did not dance, though for different
reasons, at a quarter to twelve took out his watch and, looking at
it, got up with a start. "Come on, old lady, we've got to go."
Taking his wife by the arm, he held out his hand to me. "It's been
great, Miss Heath. I never had such a good time in my life. Good
night, friends." He bowed beamingly, then made a special bow in
Selwyn's direction.

"I'm glad to know you, sir. I used to know your father. I've heard
many a case tried in his court. A juster man never lived. Good
night, sir. Good night, Miss Heath."

When all good-bys were over and all were gone Selwyn, standing with
his back to the fire, looked at me, but for a moment said nothing.
As completely as if he had stepped from one body into another he
seemed a different person from the man who had been most charming to
my guests a few minutes before when he had told them good night as if
he were, indeed, their host. Looking at him, I saw his face was
haggard and worn and that he was nervously anxious and uneasy.

"It is late. I know I shouldn't stay." His voice was as troubled as
his eyes. "I'm sorry to keep Mrs. Mundy up, but I must talk to you
tonight. Again I must ask you what to do."

CHAPTER XXIII

"It's pretty beastly in me to put this on you." Selwyn, who had
taken his seat in a chair opposite mine, first leaned back, then
forward, and, hands clasped between his knees, looked down upon the
floor. "I've kept away from you lest I trouble you with what I have
no right--"

"If you did not talk to me frankly I would be much more troubled." I
drew the scarf about my shoulders a little closer. I knew what was
coming. The thought of it chilled. "Is it about Harrie you are
again worried?"

Selwyn nodded. "You knew he had left home? Knew he had taken a
bachelor apartment downtown?"

"I heard it day before yesterday. Kitty told me. Billie is pretty
upset about him. Being five years older and married, Billie is
seeing life rather differently from the way Harrie takes it, and the
latter's recklessness--"

Selwyn looked at me, then away. "The boy is beyond comprehension. I
haven't seen him but once in nearly two weeks