ght on the _Chenyo Maru_. Before I sail, if
there is some message----"

Peter shook a slow decision. "I'm through with China, through with Len
Yang, through with wireless. I intend settling down on my little ranch
near Santa Cruz. That may save your trailers annoyance."

The polished Chinese gentleman smiled. "Evidently you are not aware
that your little ranch is no longer in your possession. You see, Mr.
Moore, when we are interested in a person, we take pains to exhaust the
tiniest details. Your ranch was sold about three months ago; in a
moment of absent-mindedness, perhaps, you neglected to pay the taxes.
However, if you but say the word----"

"Thank you," Peter headed him off in a tired and indifferent voice.
"You've saved me a trip for nothing. After all, the property is
probably better off in other hands. Now I have nothing in the world to
worry about but myself. _Bon voyage_, Mr. Fong! And my respects
to----"

But San Toy Fong had departed.

After an exasperating wait, a bell-boy brought to Peter a telegraphic
reply to his San Friole message, which read:

"Take the twelve-thirty train. Will meet you at station."

And it was signed by Eileen Lorimer.

Peter was again conscious of his diminishing funds when he peeled off a
bill at the railroad ticket-window and paid the round-trip fare. But
any thoughts upon his possible financial embarrassment were set aside
as the train rolled out into the open country, and his mind pictured
his reception at the hands of the young woman who meant quite as much
to him as life.

He pictured a dozen greetings, each different and each the same, with
Eileen in every case weeping with joy at beholding him, and wrapping
her slim, warm arms about his neck.

He became more nervous and excited as the villages passed by, and
presently the trim concrete structure lettered in gold and black as San
Friole came into sight around a curve.

Alighting, he gave his grips to a boy with instructions to have them
checked; and he looked eagerly among the crowd of students for the
lovely face of Eileen.

At length he discovered her, and simultaneously she must have
discovered him; for she elbowed her way through the mob, flushed and
breathless, and seized his hands, looking at him with eyes that seemed
to glow.

And to Peter the Brazen she was quite the same Eileen as the girl of a
year ago; no older, and quite as lovely, with the same pretty flush in
her cheeks, the same