s the custom of the McGregor family the
new day was launched amid a turmoil of confusion. Hence it came about
that although Carl made several valiant attempts to waylay his mother
in the pantry, or corral her in her room, he was each time thwarted and
was never able to get beyond a vague introduction to the topic so near
his heart. At length a multitudinous list of errands to the butcher,
grocer, and baker was handed him and there was no alternative but catch
up his hat and coat and speed forth upon these commissions. And no
sooner were they all fulfilled than the hour for his appointment with
the stranger arrived and, palpitating with the interest of his mission,
he set forth to the address to which he had been directed.

It was in the down-town part of the village and so busy was he dodging
trucks and hurrying pedestrians that he paid scant heed to anything but
the gilt numbers that dotted the street. In and out the crowd he wove
his way until above a doorway the magic characters he sought stared at
him.

There may have been, and probably were, signs announcing the nature of
the business in which this mysterious friend was engaged but if so Carl
was blind to them. All that concerned him was to find the place that
sheltered his remarkable acquaintance and ascertain the sequel of the
day before.

Therefore he walked timidly into the hallway and seeing at the other
end of it an oaken door panelled with ground glass that bore the
hieroglyphics of his quest he turned the heavy brass knob and walked
in.

The room was spacious and its rich furnishings and atmosphere of
stillness were in such marked contrast to the hubbub of the street that
he paused on the heavy rug, abashed. There was, however, no time for
retreat even had his courage failed him for the door behind him had no
sooner clicked together than a boy in a gray uniform came forward. As
he approached his eye swept with disapproval the shabby visitor and he
said, with an edge of sharpness crisping his tone:

"What can I do for you?"

"I want to see a--a--gentleman," stammered Carl. "I don't know his
name. I forgot to ask it. But he told me to come to this number to-day
at ten o'clock and give him my name on a piece of paper. I've got it
here somewheres."

Awkwardly he searched his pockets, the waiting messenger watching his
every movement.

It was a grimy morsel of parchment that was at length produced; but the
instant the supercilious page read the name s