"Listen to the cable," said the communicative young man: "'You can go to the devil. Not a cent more from me or your mother.'" Fairfax, who was tying his cravat, turned around and smiled, and he limped over to his visitor. "It's not the most friendly telegram I ever heard," he said. "Step-father," returned the other briefly. "She knows nothing about it--my mother, I mean. I've been living on her money here for two years and over and it's gone; but before I take a penny from him ..." "I understand," said Fairfax, going back to the mirror and beginning to brush his hair. "Did you ever have a mother?" asked the red-haired young man with a queer look on his face, and added, "I see you have. Well, let's drop the subject, then, but you may discuss step-fathers all you choose." Fairfax, for he was not Rainsford, yet, took a fancy to his visitor, a fancy to his rough, deep voice; he liked the eyes that were clearing fast, liked the kindly spirited face and the ready, boy-like confidence. "What are you up to in Paris?" he asked Dearborn, regarding him with interest. "I'm a playwright," said the other simply. CHAPTER V "A playwright," Fairfax repeated softly. If Dearborn had said "Ali Baba," Fairfax would scarcely have been more surprised. "You must know the Bohemian life here?" he asked, "even possibly know some artists?" "Well, rather," drawled his companion; "I live among them. I don't know a single chap who isn't doing something, burning the midnight oil or using the daylight in a studio." As Dearborn spoke, Fairfax, looking at him more observantly, saw something in his countenance that responded to his own feelings. "What are you over here for, Rainsford?" asked the Westerner. "I am a sculptor." "Delightful!" exclaimed his companion. "Where are you going to work? With Carrier-Belleuse or Rude?" "Ah, I don't know--I don't know where I can go or what I can do." His companion, with an understanding nod, said, "Didn't bring over a gold-mine with you, perhaps?" As he said this he laughed, extended both his hands and jumped up from his seat. "I like you exceedingly," he exclaimed heartily. "The governor had telegraphed me to go to the devil and I thought I'd take his advice. The little supper I was giving last night was to say good-bye to a hundred-franc note, some money that I won at poker. I might have paid some of this hotel bill, but I didn't. I wish you had been there, Rainsford! But, never mind, you had the afterglow anyway! No," he laughed, "let us surprise them at home. I don't quite know how, but let's surprise them." Fairfax shook his head as though he didn't quite understand. "Is there no one who thinks you an insane fool for going in for art? Nobody that your success will be gall to?" "No, I'm all alone." "Come," urged the other, too excited to see the sadness on his companion's face. "Come, isn't there some one who will cringe when your statues are unveiled?" "Stop!" cried Fairfax eagerly.