"I met a girl," Paddock replied, half closing his eyes and smiling cynically at the sea--"little thing from the Middle West, stopping at a back street boarding-house--father in the hardware business, nobody at all--but eyes like the sea there, hands like butterflies--sort of--got me-- That's how I happen to know I'll never marry. For if I married anybody it would have to be her--and I let her go home without saying a word because I was selfish and like this easy game and intend to stick to it until I'm smothered in rose-leaves. Shall we wander back?" "See here, Jack--I don't want to preach"--Minot tried to conceal his seriousness with a smile--"but if I were you I'd stick to this girl, and make good--" "And leave this?" Paddock laughed. "Dick, you old idiot, this is meat and drink to me. This nice old land of loiter in the sun. Nay, nay. Now, I've really got to get back. Mrs. Bruce is giving a tango tea this afternoon--informal, but something has to be said-- These fellows who write a daily humorous column must lead a devil of a life." With a laugh, Minot followed his irresponsible friend down the steps. They crossed the bridge over the empty moat and came through the city gates again to the street of the alligator. "By the way," Paddock said as they went up the hotel steps, "you haven't told me what brought you south?" "Business, Jack," said Minot. "It's a secret--perhaps I can tell you later." "Business? I thought, of course, you came for pleasure." "There'll be no pleasure in this trip for me," said Minot bitterly. "Oh, won't there?" Paddock laughed. "Wait till you hear Mrs. Bruce talk. See you later, old man." At luncheon they brought Mr. Minot a telegram from a certain seventeenth floor in New York. An explosive telegram. It read: "Nonsense nobody here to take your place, see it through, you've given your word. "THACKER." Gloomily Mr. Minot considered. What was there to do but see it through? Even though Thacker should send another to take his place, could he stay to woo the lady he adored? Hardly. In that event he would have to go away--never see her again--never hear her voice-- If he stayed as Jephson's representative he might know the glory of her nearness for a week, might thrill at her smile--even while he worked to wed her to Lord Harrowby. And perhaps-- Who could say? Hard as he might work, might he not be thwarted? It was possible. So after lunch he sent Thacker a reassuring message, promising to stay. And at the end of a dull hour in the lobby, he set out to explore the town. The Mermaid Tea House stood on the waterfront, with a small second-floor balcony that looked out on the harbor. Passing that way at four-thirty that afternoon, Minot heard a voice call to him. He glanced up. "Oh, Mr. Minot--won't you come into my parlor?" Cynthia Meyrick smiled down on him.