"This gent stampedes in the midst of our welcome," explained the foreman, "so we have to rope him before he gets away." It was seen now that Carara's lariat was tightly drawn about the new arrival's waist. Then the valet broke into coherent speech, but he spoke a tongue not common to his profession. "Nix on that welcome stuff," he burst forth, in husky, alcoholic accents; "that goes on the door-mat!" It was plain that he was very angry. "If that racket means welcome, I don't want it. Take that clothes-line off of me." Carara loosened the noose, and his captive rolled up the steps mopping his face with his handkerchief. "What made you run away?" demanded Speed. "Any time a bunch of bandits unhitch their gats, I'm on my way," sputtered the fat man. "I'm gun-shy, see? And when this hold-up comes off I beat it till that Cuban rummy with the medals on his dicer rides a live horse up my back." "You don't appreciate the honor," explained his employer; then turning to the others, he announced: "Will you allow me to introduce Mr. Lawrence Glass? He isn't really a valet, you know, Miss Chapin, and he doesn't care for the West yet. It is his first trip." "I have heard my brother speak of Larry Glass," said Jean, graciously. Mr. Glass courtesied awkwardly, and swinging his right foot back of his left, tapped the floor with his toe. "You were a trainer at Yale when Jack was there?" "That's me," Mr. Glass wheezed. "I'm there with the big rub, too. Wally said he was going to train during vacation, so he staked me to a trip out here, and I came along to look after him." "Come into the house," said Jean. "Stover will see to your baggage." As they entered, Mr. Berkeley Fresno saw the late arrival bend over Helen Blake, and heard him murmur: "The same unforgettable eyes of Italian blue." And Mr. Fresno decided to dislike Wally Speed, even if it required an effort. CHAPTER IV It was on the following morning that Miss Blake made bold to request her favor from J. Wallingford Speed. They had succeeded in isolating themselves upon the vine-shaded gallery at the rear of the house, and the conversation had been largely of athletics, but this, judging from the rapt expression of the girl, was a subject of surpassing interest. Speed, quick to take a cue, plunged on. "I would have made the Varsity basket-ball team myself if I hadn't been so tiny," said Helen. "I have always wanted to be tall, like Roberta." "I shouldn't care for that," said the young man. "You know she was a wonderful player?" "So I've heard." "Do you know," mused Helen, "I have never forgotten what you told me that first day we met. I think it was perfectly lovely of you."