Her eyes widened a little, and slowly filled. She gave him her other hand. But she shook her head. A little later he said. 'Come then, dear. We'll go down there.' From the top of the stairs he switched on a light in the shop. Mildred, very palet went down. Henry was about to follow. But he saw Humphrey standing, darting glances about the room, softly snapping his bony fingers. The long, swarthy face was wrinkled into a scowl. His eyes rested on Henry. He gave a little sigh; threw out his hands. 'It's--it's the limit!' he whispered. 'You see--my hat....' That seemed to be all he could say. His face was twisted with emotion. His mouth even moved a little. But no sound came. Henry stood waiting. At the moment his surging, uncontrollable emotion took the form of embarrassment. It seemed to him that in this crisis he ought to be polite toward his friend. But they couldn't stand here indefinitely without speaking. There was need, particular need, of politeness toward Mildred Henderson. So, mumbling, he followed her downstairs and out through the shop to the deserted alley. Then they went down to Chestnut Avenue. Mildred and Humphrey were silent, Walking close together, arm in arm. Henry, in some measure recovered from his little breakdown, or relieved by it, tried to make talk. He spoke of the stillness of the night. He said, 'It's the only time I like the town--after midnight. You don't have to see the people then.' Then, as they offered no reply, he too fell still. Corinne, when they found her leaning against a big maple, was in a practical frame of mind. 'There he is,' she whispered. 'Been sitting right there all the time. This is his third cigar. Now listen, Mildred. I've figured it all out. No good in letting ourselves get excited. It's all right. You and I will walk up with Henry. Just take it for granted that you've been down to the lake with us. We needn't even explain.' Mildred, still nestling close to Humphrey's arm, seemed to be looking at her. Then they heard her draw in her breath rather sharply, and her hand groped up toward Humphrey's shoulder. 'Wait!' she said breathlessly. 'I can't go in there now. Not right now. Wait a little. I can't!' Humphrey led her away into the shadows. Corinne looked at Henry. 'Hm!' she murmured--'serious!' The university clock struck one. Again Henry felt that pressure in the temples and dryness in the throat. His thoughts, most of them, were whirling again. But one corner of his mind was thinking clearly, coldly:-- 'This is the real thing. Drama! Life! Maybe tragedy! And I'm seeing it! I'm in it, part of it!' 3 Corinne was peering into the shadows. 'Where'd they go?' she said. 'We've got to find them. This thing's getting worse every minute.' Mildred and Humphrey were sitting on a horse block, side by side, very still. It was in front of the B. L. Ames place. Corinne stood over them. But Henry hung back; leaned weakly against a tree.