hat had most influenced his life.

During his walk a violent chattering of teeth in a glass case on the
sidewalk seemed at first to draw his attention (with a qualm), to a
restaurant before which it was set; but a second glance revealed the
electric letters of a dentist's sign high above the next door. A giant
negro, fantastically dressed in a red embroidered coat, yellow trousers
and a military cap, discreetly distributed cards to those of the passing
crowd who consented to take them.

This mode of dentistic advertising was a common sight to Rudolf. Usually
he passed the dispenser of the dentist's cards without reducing his
store; but tonight the African slipped one into his hand so deftly that
he retained it there smiling a little at the successful feat.

When he had travelled a few yards further he glanced at the card
indifferently. Surprised, he turned it over and looked again with
interest. One side of the card was blank; on the other was written in
ink three words, "The Green Door." And then Rudolf saw, three steps in
front of him, a man throw down the card the negro had given him as he
passed. Rudolf picked it up. It was printed with the dentist's name and
address and the usual schedule of "plate work" and "bridge work" and
"crowns," and specious promises of "painless" operations.

The adventurous piano salesman halted at the corner and considered. Then
he crossed the street, walked down a block, recrossed and joined the
upward current of people again. Without seeming to notice the negro as
he passed the second time, he carelessly took the card that was handed
him. Ten steps away he inspected it. In the same handwriting that
appeared on the first card "The Green Door" was inscribed upon it. Three
or four cards were tossed to the pavement by pedestrians both following
and leading him. These fell blank side up. Rudolf turned them over.
Every one bore the printed legend of the dental "parlours."

Rarely did the arch sprite Adventure need to beckon twice to Rudolf
Steiner, his true follower. But twice it had been done, and the quest
was on.

Rudolf walked slowly back to where the giant negro stood by the case of
rattling teeth. This time as he passed he received no card. In spite
of his gaudy and ridiculous garb, the Ethiopian displayed a natural
barbaric dignity as he stood, offering the cards suavely to some,
allowing others to pass unmolested. Every half minute he chanted a
harsh, unintelligible phrase akin