he Highlands of the Navesink it sank in royal state: purple, scarlet,
and gold. Upon the crisping blue waters of Harbor, Sound, and River, the
reflection of its transient glory lay in quivering windrows of gorgeous
color. It crimsoned faintly the snow that lay thick on the multitude of
city roofs; it blazoned scarlet the myriad windows in the towers and
skyscrapers; it filled the keen air with wonderful fleeting lights that
bewildered and charmed the unaccustomed eyes of the metropolitan
millions.

Champney waited for it to fade; then he turned to the man beside him.

"Father Honore--" he half rose from the cot. The priest bent over him.
Champney laid one arm around his neck, drew him down to him and, for a
moment only, the two men remained cheek to cheek.

"Champney--my son," was all he could say.

"Yes; now tell me all--the worst; I can bear it."

* * * * *

"I can't see my way, yet." These were the first words he spoke after
Father Honore had finished telling him of his prospective relief from
sentence and the means taken to obtain it. He had listened intently,
without interruption, sitting up on the cot, his look fixed unwaveringly
on the narrator. He put his hand to his face as he spoke, covering his
eyes for a moment; then he passed it over the three weeks' stubble on
his cheeks and chin.

"Is it possible for me to shave here? I must get up--out of this. I
can't think straight unless I get on my feet."

"Do you feel strong enough, Champney?"

"I shall get strength quicker when I'm up. Thank you," he said, as
Father Honore helped him to his feet. He swayed as if dizzy on crossing
the room to a small mirror above a stand. Father Honore placed the hot
water and shaving utensils before him. He declined his further
assistance.

"Are there--are there any clothes I could put on?" He asked
hesitatingly, as he proceeded to shave himself awkwardly with his one
free hand.

"Such as they are, a plenty." Father Honore produced a common tweed suit
and fresh underwear from the "handy closet." These together with some
other necessaries from a drawer in the stand supplied a full equipment.

"Can I tub anywhere?" was his next question after he had finished
shaving.

"Yes; this bath closet here is at your disposal." He opened a door into
a small adjoining hall-room. Champney took the clothes and went in. While
he was bathing, Father Honore used the room telephone to order in a
substant