uise was desperately nervous. It seemed that a thousand eyes
were watching her; her back felt peppered with them. She shifted one
foot and leaned slightly against the desk. All about her men were
pressing up for mail, keys, reservations, information. She dared not
look around. There were no women in the constricted circle of her
vision except the telephone operator over to her left.

The clerk was taking a long time. She was getting even more anxious.
Suddenly she heard her name called. It startled her even while it
brought a tremendous sense of relief. She turned and Claybrook was
standing by her elbow.

"How's tricks?" he inquired.

For a moment she could not answer, only look at him gratefully.

"I've been out of town. Just got back. Was going to call you up this
evening, but I didn't have the chance," he went on.

She murmured something unintelligible.

"Waiting here for something?" At her nod of assent he came and stood
beside her, leaning his elbow on the desk, his gaze idly and
comfortably sweeping the lobby. "Hot to-night," he said.

The inscrutable clerk returned. Mary Louise felt his inspection before
she actually saw him. She turned, expectant.

"Sorry," he murmured. "Can't do anything for you."

Mary Louise received the blow standing. "But," she faltered, "Later
on?--I'm not in a hurry. Are you really all filled up?"

The clerk gravely smiled and shook his head.

She stared at him in desolate appeal. Her thoughts went rocketing off.
What was she going to do?

"How's this?" she heard Claybrook say. "Full up?" He had turned from
his idle inspection of the lobby. "Not in two weeks. You can rent a
floor in this hotel."

He looked at Mary Louise. "You want a room here?" He seemed a bit
surprised.

"Yes," she stammered. "For the night."

Claybrook turned to the clerk. "Tell McLean Miss McCallum wants a room
here for the night," he said.

"But----" interrupted the clerk.

Claybrook cut him off short, tossing a card across the desk. "Take
that to McLean and tell him Miss McCallum wants a room. And give her
the best service you've got."

The clerk disappeared again. Mary Louise was hot and embarrassed and
uncomfortable. She looked up and saw Claybrook regarding her
quizzically but kindly. He seemed very big and she warmed to him. He
asked her no questions. She was about to speak when the clerk returned
again and, calling a bell-boy, tossed out a key to him, bowed, and
murmured, "Six fourteen,"