these dishes as Eaton
approached; he chose his breakfast and sat down, the man laying one
place for him. This manner of serving gave Eaton no hint as to how
many others were in the house or might be expected to breakfast. He
had half finished his bacon and greens before any one else appeared.

This was a tall, carefully dressed man of more than fifty, with
handsome, well-bred features--plainly a man of position and wealth but
without experience in affairs, and without power. He was dark haired
and wore a mustache which, like his hair, was beginning to gray. As he
appeared in the hall without hat or overcoat, Eaton understood that he
lived in the house; he came directly into the breakfast room and
evidently had not breakfasted. He observed Eaton and gave him the
impersonal nod of a man meeting another whom he may have met but has
forgotten.

"Good morning, Stiles," he greeted the servant.

"Good morning, sir," the man returned.

The newcomer sat down at the table opposite Eaton, and the servant,
without inquiring his tastes, brought pineapple, rolls and coffee.

"I am Wallace Blatchford," the stranger volunteered as Eaton looked up.
He gave the name in a manner which seemed to assume that he now must be
recalled; Eaton therefore feigned recognition as he gave him his name
in return.

"Basil Santoine is better this morning," Blatchford announced.

"I understood he was very comfortable last evening," Eaton said. "I
have not seen either Miss Santoine or Mr. Avery this morning."

"I saw Basil Santoine the last thing last night," the other boasted.
"He was very tired; but when he was home, of course he wished me to be
beside him for a time."

"Of course," Eaton replied, as the other halted. There was a humility
in the boast of this man's friendship for Santoine which stirred
sympathy, almost pity.

"I believe with the doctors that Basil Santoine is to be spared," the
tall man continued. "The nation is to be congratulated. He is
certainly one of the most useful men in America. The President--much
as he is to be admired for unusual qualities--cannot compare in
service. Suppose the President were assassinated; instantly the Vice
President would take his place; the visible government of the country
would go on; there would be no chaos, scarcely any confusion. But
suppose Basil Santoine had died--particularly at this juncture!"

Eaton finished his breakfast but remained at the table while
Blatchford, who