"You're right, sir, it's a damned outrage--I beg your pardon, Father Honore, I hadn't ought to said that, but I've seen so much, and I'm all broke up, I guess, with what I've been through since yesterday. I went to her myself then and made bold to ask her to help with her riches that's bringing her in eight per cent, and told her some plain truths--" "You went--!" Father Honore exclaimed; he had almost said "too," but caught himself in time. "Yes, I went, and all I got was an insult for my pains. She's a she-dev--I beg your pardon, sir; it would serve me right if the Almighty struck me dumb with a stroke like hers, only hers don't affect her speech any, Aileen says--I guess her tongue's insured against shock for life, but it hadn't ought to be, sir, not after the blasphemy it's uttered. But I ain't the one to throw stones, not after what I've just said in your presence, sir, and I do beg your pardon, I know what's due to the clo--" The train, rounding the curve, whistled deafeningly. Father Honore grasped both Octavius' hands; held them close in a firm cordial grip; looked straight into the small brown eyes that were filled with tears, the result of pure nervousness. "We men understand each other, Mr. Buzzby; no apology is necessary--let me have your prayers while I am away, I shall need them--good-bye--" He entered the car. Octavius Buzzby lifted his hat and stood bareheaded on the platform till the train drew out. PART FOURTH Oblivion I "I have called to see Mr. Van Ostend, by appointment," said Father Honore to the footman in attendance at the door of the mansion on the Avenue. He was shown into the library. Mr. Van Ostend rose from the armchair to greet him. "I am glad to see you, Father Honore." He shook hands cordially and drew up a chair opposite to his own before the blazing hearth. "Be seated; I have given orders that we are not to be interrupted. I cannot pretend ignorance as to the cause of your coming--a sad, bad matter for us all. Have you any news?" "Only that he is here in New York." Mr. Van Ostend looked startled. "Here? Since when? My latest advice was this afternoon from the Maine detectives." "I heard yesterday from headquarters that he had been traced here, but he must be in hiding somewhere; thus far they've found no trace of him. I felt sure, from the very first, he would return; that is why I came down. He couldn't avoid detection any longer in the country, nor could he hold out another week in the Maine wilderness--no man could stand it in this weather." "How long have you been here, Father Honore?" "Three days. I promised Mrs. Googe to do what I could to find him; the mother suffers most." "I know--I know; it's awful for her; but, for God's sake, what did he do it for!" "Why do we all sin at times?"