The Spectator., 1914-11-27

few moments lost in this operation, he dived down the little short cut called Paradise place. It was very dark in the little fragment of & street, and halfway down it's narrow span he bumped into two men who were in the act of parting from each other | with low-voiced adieux. The taller of these two muttered an apology almost in the same breath with Leigh's, and | was hurrying away, when the sculp- | tor, catching sight of the face under the peak of the cheap and shabby hat, | called his name.
 'Vanderpool!"
 The millionaire heard, for he made 1 an irresolute. little movement as if to return, but, changing his mind, only pulled his hat over his eyes, and | walked off rapidly. For a moment Leigh almost doubted the veracity of in what amounted to disguise! Such circumstance seemed far from likely! And yet he could not be wrong, for in the folds of the mans coat he had | distinctly seen the black ribbon and dangling monocle which were charac- teristic of Iris father. Deuce take the man, it was very odd for him to rush off in that manner without speaking! But, for the matter of that, Vanderpool had always been something of a mys- tery to his acquaintances! With a shrug, Leigh resumed his walk, only to have it borne in upon him after few moments, that the second of the two men whom he had interrupted was preceding him. Even when he turned into Muldoon place there he was again, crossing the little paved court twenty-five feet in advance. and entering at the basement door!
 Well, if that isn't the darnedest thing!" said Leigh as he mounted the stairs, puzzled, but thereafter thinking of it no more.
 He found Pedro engaged upon a pencil drawing of very pretty girl in the act of washing herself with the aid of a cake of soap which she held in a prominent manner. Leigh started slightly, as he looked at it. but all he said was:
 l Still working?"
 No" responded Pedro. "I stopped when the light gave out" l He waved his hand toward the smaller easel where stood a canvas, upon which picture-a street scene had been blocked in. Leigh crossed to look at it. and although the artificial I Rxh do t,,du of " ot he saw difficult, he bent before 1t in terestedly, though still without com ment
 50 you have stopped working" said eh What do you call the thing you are doing?"
 | This is not my work" explained Pedro, arising, and laying down the drawing-board. This is just to live. l have seen many pictures in adver- tisements like this. often less good. and perhaps can sell it. Then l need not use the money of MT. Hill. A good idea, eh?"
 "Yes," assented Leigh. still without any change of expression. Well, come out and play around with me. l never see anyone much. except Hill. and as he has deserted the camp you will have to fill his place, since you have undertaken to fill his studio and my time."
 "An right" said Pedro.
 Together they went out. Pedro was good company. and Leigh responded to him readily. Between these two had already sprung up an intimacy that was accepted by both without sur prise It seemed so natural to them to be together. the language that they | spoke was identical. and both were so simple in their attitude toward life, and toward each other. that they spoke and acted with the feeling of old | comrades from the first. Who was this young man, anyhow? The question was one that lulled Leigh to sleep that night and persist | ently confronted him on his awaken | ing next morning.
 Why was the boy so reticent about his. origin. his people, his nationality even. Sometimes one would swear Pe- dro to be a Spaniard; yet he spoke Italian fiuently. and French. too. Yet. when he became earnest and wished to press point. good English seemed to come to him with amazing readi- ness. And the quality of the boys work! It was astounding! This lat ter thought stimulated action. Slowly Abraham Lincoln Leigh arose from his untidy bed. and in the early light of the wintry morning, strode into his workshop. Halfway across the floor he stopped, adding his un- gainly figure to the motionless throng which stood about. For several min utes he stood stock-still, and then, with rapid. skilful fingers began to curve back the hind quarters of the tiger in the little plasterline sketch. CHAPTER VI.