The Spectator., 1915-01-15

| LdSt name! put nave uOue. Op- jected Rico.
 To gain time Hill finished his coffee. Tt would take a long while to ex- plain just why 1t is good plan to | be married" said he at last But if you are willing to take my word for 1t, allow me to say that it is good! In fact, I am contemplating doing 1t my self before very long"
 We'll" said Rico. If you say 1t is good. 1t must be so. We will find priest if you agree, Anna"
 I've no objections" replied Anna; and so 1t was arranged
 Leaving them to discuss the idea, Hill fell to planning how best to ap- proach Vanderpool. Why not go direct to him at his office? Preposterous as the notion seemed at first, the more he thought upon it, the more plausible 1t appeared. Was there not as good a chance of finding out the truth in this manner as in any other? Vanderpool had agreed to his (Hilrs) incarceration, 1t was true, but the reasons for so doing were strong, and his objections had been overruled by the rest of the gang with whom the asphalt magnate had appeared to be associated. At any rate, it was worth trying. Vanderpool was aware of the knowledge which he | (HilD possessed, and under any cir cumstances the latter would be work ing under search-light, so to speak the moment his escape was discovered. On the whole, the notion seemed a good one. for by its execution nothing could be lost, while much might be gained.
 And I think" he said aloud, that l shall take MT. Jones; he will make me more conspicuous and. conse- Quently. safer.'
 Whats that?" Queried Nita.
 Merely that l am going out now. with.
 Out from the dimness and dirt of the back tenement, from the low roofed houses, degraded mansions of an earlier day, out from the muck and sQualor. the slush and grime of
 
 canyon of commerce to the east, went Hill, the little brown bear tagging after, and joining with his master the river of humanity that swept between the towering cliffs of granite on either hand; the strange, incomprehensible towers, which stretched up, up, higher than one at their feet could see. at a cf 0lA vIo hnv. ha ro,,1d grasp their significance with single thought. Before one of these build ing Hin paused, and assuring himself that it was that which he sought, be- gan paneuvers to gain admittance
 At first there was difficulty with the door-k keepers on MT. Jones' account but they were successfully persuaded, and he passed them only to be baked by the elevator man. There was more protest than that of the uniformed off cial to cope with, for MT. Jones fiatly refused to enter the car. and in the end Hill was obliged to leave him in charge of a half-delighted, half-fright- ened porter.
 Just as well" murmured the paint CT. as he was spirited upward. If they have any clap-trap mysteries about that office. secret dungeons. etc. and l don't come down, they will get tired of holding the bear. and come up after me-"
 Even before he had come to this optimistic conclusion they reached the | twenty -oddth floor, and the offices of United Asphalt company. However. difficulties were not at an end. and it was only after consider able argument and hauteur that Sam succeeded in having his name sent in to the president of the concern. The name. 1t seemed. was magical in its effect. for almost instantly the super cilious office boy who had condescend- ed to take it in returned briskly, and invited MT. Hill to please to step this way"-and so. without more ado, Sam found himself face to face with Iris father.
 As Hill entered the luxuriously ap- pointed office. the distinguished man at the wide shining desk did not look up until he had finished addressing the letter upon which he was en- gagged. When he had done so, and secured the seal. he turned and faced Hill with the frank, direct look was known to be characteristic of him.
 Well, Samuel Hill" he said, "so you have not only escaped, but felt it safest to beard the lion in his den ito seek out the conspirator in the midst of the market-place. Why?"
 For an instant Hill wavered as to what course was best; and then, in view of the attitude with which he himself had come armed, decided to return frankness for frankness.
 T have come because of this" said he simply. taking Iris manifesto from his pocket and spreading it upon the | desk before her father. Vanderpool fumbled at the black silk ribbon that | secured his eyeglasses. found and adjusted them, and began to read the