s mood had changed. The sun and the breeze had done their work.

ut that bound him to the safe and conventional, and he had set out on his own account to lead the life adventurous, he was conscious of an absurd diffidence. New York looked different to him. It made him feel positi

ming more and more aware, and which bore much too close a resemblance to dismay to be pleasant. The poet's statement that "the man who's square, his chances always are best; no circumstance can shoot a scare into the contents of his vest," is only true within limits. The squarest men, deposited suddenly in New York and faced with the prospect of earning his living there, is likely to quail for

quare the Astor Hotel loomed up on the left. It l

ly deposited in the hotel bank, and he was half-way through a lunch which had caused him already to look on New York not only as the finest city in the w

Returning in time to dress, he dined at the hotel, after which he visited a near-by theater, and completed a pleasant and strenuous day at one

at work ridiculously early, and when John called up the office between eleven and twelve o'clock--nature's breakfast-

fortune till he had consulted the expert. What would Rockefeller

d the grea

*

me and, in particular, on the almost criminal imbecility of the umpire, that he was dreamily aware

announced the boy, intercepted. "Has

e could not think of another person in New York who knew of his presence at the Astor. But

m along,

the tables, followed by a young man of extraordinary gravity of countenance, who w

up to m

said. "Won't you sit do

" said the spect

a cigar and c

k you

silent until the wait

id. "I am Mr. Benjamin Sc

id John.

to miss somethi

d of Mr. Scobe

knowledge,"

touch very much wit

sta

er

ike some pat

rm Your Highness that the Republic has been dissolved, and

dumb amazement. The thought flashed across him that Mr. Cr

mp. He goggled through his spectacles at

Maude? You s

ht enough. We're so

the only sister of

right th

ic--" He paused, as if struck with an idea.

e suddenly

right ahead. You'll be the only man I've ever met who h

p's face

ave been kept in ignorance. Your father, Mr.

pped his cigar in a shower of gray ash on to his trousers, and retriev

!" he

p nodded

reached the familiar phrase--"to inform Your Highness that the Republic has b

doubt sei

ndians at the _News_, Rupert Smith,

appeared

ts-- This is a copy of the register of the chur

he document. It w

n it's tru

ur Highness. And I

e is Mervo? I never

cipality in the Medit

our Highness.' It may be fun to you, but it makes me f

felt in

a roll of bills, "entrusted me w

ering doubt which John might have had as to the poss

e for me?

ssed them ac

to say that you are at liberty to draw further against Mr. Scobell's

e a _leit-motif_ in Mr. Crump's convers

's get one thing clear. Who is this Mr. S

rietor of the C

erous, open-handed fellows. Noth

rested in Your Hig

ls beside his coffee cup,

o-date as regards the internal affairs of this important little kingdom of mine. How would i

history of Mervo and Mervian politics,

r has ever happened to me. A couple of days ago I lost my job, was given ten thousand dollars that I didn't know exi

ly anxious that we should

? What, t

. You will not be able

seems to be financing this show, perhaps it's up to me to step lively if he wants it. But it's a pity. I was ju

unexpectedly into a slow, wide smile. His eyes b

he mu

ed at him

. "Crump, I belie

responsible position as secretary to a millionai

d burg," he said softly. "I haven't be

the table and seized

s great city, we must get busy right away. Grab your hat, and come along. One doesn't beco

said the envoy

*

men, hatless and a little rumpled, but obviously ch

addressed by the larger of

Ryan," he

patted him o

he said, "Grand Hereditary Be

ohn formally ente