y, and he gave the
cabman his name and address, saying, "Bring the young lady around here at
once, as quickly as you can. I will settle with you on your arrival."

Mr. Hepworth hung up his own receiver, much puzzled. His first impulse
was to go to the address where Patty was, but as it would take some time
for him to get around there by any means, he deemed it better that she
should come to him.

As Patty felt safe, now that she was so soon to meet Mr. Hepworth, she
gave her remaining change to the Italian woman, who had been kind, though
stolidly disinterested, during the whole interview.

The cabman, having given his number to Mr. Hepworth, felt a responsibility
for the safety of his passenger, and assisted her into the cab with humble
politeness.

A few moments' ride brought them to the large building in which was Mr.
Hepworth's studio, and that gentleman himself, hatted and gloved, stood
on the curb awaiting them.

"What's it all about?" he asked Patty, making no motion, however, to
assist her from the cab.

But the reaction after her fright and embarrassment had made Patty so
weak and nervous that she was on the verge of tears.

"I didn't have any money," she said; "I don't know whether I lost it or
not, and if you'll please pay him, papa will pay you afterward."

"Of course, child; that's all right," said Mr. Hepworth. "Don't get out,"
he added, as Patty started to do so. "Stay right where you are, and I'll
take you home." He gave Patty's address to the driver, swung himself into
the cab beside Patty, and off they started.

"I wasn't frightened," said Patty, though her quivering lip and trembling
hands belied her words; "but when he said he'd arrest me, I--I didn't
know what to do, and so I telephoned to you."

"Quite right," said Hepworth, in a casual tone, which gave no hint of the
joy he felt in being Patty's protector in such an emergency. "But I say,
child, you look regularly done up. What have you been doing? Have you had
your luncheon?"

"No," said Patty, faintly.

"And it's after two o'clock," said Hepworth, sympathetically. "You poor
infant, I'd like to take you somewhere for a bite, but I suppose that
wouldn't do. Well, here's the only thing we can do, and it will at least
keep you from fainting away."

He signalled the cabman to stop at a drug shop, where there was a large
soda fountain. Here he ordered for Patty a cup of hot bouillon. He made
her drink it slowly, and was rejoiced to see