other. Latisan displayed the most
composure. He had not the same reason as had Mern to be surprised; it
was immediately made plain that Latisan had devoted some thought to
preparations for the interview. He stepped closer. Even though his smile
seemed to be meant as an assurance of amity, Mern flinched; he
remembered that the woodsman had begun the battle the day before after a
remark in a most placid tone.

Latisan tipped his head to indicate the waiting policeman. "I brought
him along. I asked him to come up from the street. He doesn't know what
for."

"Nor I, either!" blurted Mern.

"I thought you might want me arrested on sight, and I remember what I
did to your telephones, and I figured I'd save you the trouble of
sending out."

There was no mistaking the drive master's new mood. He was polite; he
was contrite. The picturesque touch furnished by supplying a policeman
suggested the Vose-Mern "anticipatory system" and appealed to the
chief's grim sense of humor. Also, Mern was moved by that consciousness
which warms real men, when it's a mutual acknowledgment, "He's a good
sport."

Mern waved his hand to the policeman, putting into that gesture a
meaning which the officer understood; the officer started for the outer
door.

"Just a second!" called Latisan. He pulled out a roll of money and gave
the policeman a bill. "You can use that to pay your fare down in the
elevator."

Latisan held the roll in sight until he and Mern were alone. "While the
cash is out, I may as well inquire what the bill is."

"For what?"

"For this." The woodsman swung the hand which held the money, making a
wide sweep to take in all the wreck.

"No bill, Latisan! You can't pay a cent. I think we'll call it natural
wear and tear in the course of business."

The chief was sitting in the chair which had escaped damage. He insisted
on the caller taking that chair; Mern sat on a carpenter's sawhorse.

"Perhaps I had you going yesterday, Chief Mern, but to-day it's you who
have got me going!" admitted Latisan, frankly mystified by this
forbearance.

"I'm only backing up the talk I have always made about giving the other
fellow his innings if he wants to take 'em and has the grit to put it
over. Look here, Latisan, two men are never really well acquainted till
they've had a good run-in with their fists. You and I have been standing
each other off on facts. Let's get down to cases. How did it happen that
you fell for Lida Kennard s