The Spectator., 1914-12-11


 they delighted with the sketch? But, of course! Dios! you are sight to gladden. the heart!" Pedro's cheeks were afiame, and his eyes shone with excitement Iris noted this with wonder, and thought that truly his friendship for Leigh must be great, since the mere sight of the sculptor aroused in him an enthusiasm so far beyond any which he displayed | for others. And, indeed, at this mo- | ment Pedro appeared to see no one but the tall, gaunt man, whose hands he held. To break the little tableau, Iris looked at her watch, and noted the hour with an exclamation of sur prise. Then she began slipping into her outdoor garments.
 q must fiyi" she cried. When shall come again?"
 "I-er-suppose I call you up and you can let me know?" said Pedro, looking. however, at Leigh. we must i have 1t soon. An! 1t Is good to have you back, amigo mio!" he added to the sculptor.
 Tomorrow" said Iris. It almost seemed as If she were persisting. T could come in the morning."
 will you be working tomorrow" Pedro asked of Leigh.
 Abraham Lincoln Leigh nodded his long head.
 This day loaf with you." he said. Tomorrow I shall begin to set up the big group"
 Pedro turned to Iris.
 Tomorrow morning will be splen- did then!" he said. You will come early, eh?"
 "Yes." she replied. but now must go."
 And I, also," said Leigh. T must leave an order at Penelli's for plas- terline. I'll be back in an hour, Pedro. May l show you to your motor. Miss vanderpool? It's waiting out on the avenue"
 Thank you," said Iris, T shall be glad" Then she turned to Cassie, all her original antagonism coming back in full force. What right had this girl to dictate to her, Iris? 'Good-by." said Iris. stifly, ignoring the girls outstretched hand Then she went out with Leigh, her head very much in the air.
 When Pedro and Leigh went down the stairs. arm in arm, the door of the ground-floor apartment was slammed with violence, just as they passed 1t. Do you know the chap who lives l there?" asked Leigh. Never saw him." said Pedro. These tenants are all very quiet I never meet any of them, except Cassie"
 I've seen this downstairs fellow" said Leigh. "Disagreeable fellow. Names Rowe. believe"
 T have never seen him." Pedro re- piled. Where shall we go, eh?"
 "Paleri's," said Leigh; i've can talk there"
 It was close on to one o'clock in the morning when, in very enthusiastic mood, Pedro saw Leigh to the latters door. They stood for several moments in the shelter of the vestibule, compar- ing the English of Oscar Wilde to that of the King James Bible. Then Leigh found his latchkey and Pedro turned homeward.
 But he was not destined to reach the studio immediately.
 Before he had gone to the end of the block he turned and stood quite motionless. looking up at Leigh's win dow, where a dim light soon appeared behind the cracked and yellow blinds. Until this light had been extinguished he waited, looking up with strange expression in his eyes. Then, when the window went dark, he buried his face in his hands and seemed to purge his soul of some trouble. After mo- ment or two. however, he abruptly squared his shoulders and resumed his homeward way. only to be halted by the swinging door of little subter. ranean cafe and paused together un. der a street lamp.
 At his first glimpse of the taller of the two men, Pedro's heart gave a great thump of surprise. It was MT. Vanderpool, Iris father! And who was the disreputable-looking fellow to whom he was talking? Why had the chap such familiar look? Where had he seen the fellow before? Impossible to remember. But whatever their for mer encounter, 1t paled in interest be- side the fact that the mystery he had undertaken to unravel was probably being enacted, in part, under his very nose.
 Clearly some mischief was afoot. By his tone and gestures the smaller man appeared to be dictating to the mil lionaire, who followed his words anx- iously. Assuming careless manner. Pedro pulled his cap far down over his eyes and walked past the two.
 "A week is impossible; too long, by