"I can't understand," declared Burleigh, "how such a piece and such a troupe happened to drop into the old Howard. Such scenery! Why, the stage setting was the best I ever saw. One act was laid in the pine woods; you could look way through them, apparently, live birds flew about among the branches, and they must have burned some sort of balsam in the wings, for you could actually smell the pines." "That's a new smell for the Howard," remarked Hudson. "Yes, and those two girls!" added Jack Rattleton. "By Jove, wasn't that blonde a beauty!" "The brunette was better," averred Burleigh. "How she did sing! They have splendid songs all through the play." "Never saw such acting," said Jack, "even--certainly never at the Howard." "The hero was a magnificent young man," Burleigh went on. "You ought to see him throw down the villain in the last act. I'm going again as soon as I can." "Why haven't we heard of it before?" queried Stoughton, suspiciously. "It was a first night," explained Burleigh, promptly. "Jack and I were pioneers. You fellows ought to go see it. You'll hear enough of it before it is over; but go in now while it is fresh." "I have nothing to do to-night," said Hudson. "I believe I'll go. Who is with me?" Stoughton and Gray both agreed to join him. Holworthy and Randolph were going to drive over to a ball in Brookline. "I'd give anything to go with you chaps," said Burleigh, "but I have got to work into the wee sma' hours on my forensic. It is due to-morrow morning, and I haven't done a thing on it." "I'd like to see that show again, too," said Jack, "but I don't feel very well to-night. I'm going to turn in early." The three theatre-goers started for town immediately after dinner. They stopped at one of the clubs first, and picked up three or four other men on the strength of Burleigh's eulogy of the play.