“But, good heavens, Calderwell, it's impossible! What can I do?” demanded Arkwright, savagely. “I can't walk up to the man, take him by the ear, and say: 'Here, you, sir--march home!' Neither can I come the 'I-am-holier-than-thou' act, and hold up to him the mirror of his transgressions.” “No, but you can get him out of it _some_ way. You can find a way--for Billy's sake.” There was no answer, and, after a moment, Calderwell went on more quietly. “I haven't seen Billy but two or three times since I came back to Boston--but I don't need to, to know that she's breaking her heart over something. And of course that something is--Bertram.” There was still no answer. Arkwright got up suddenly, and walked to the window. “You see, I'm helpless,” resumed Calderwell. “I don't paint pictures, nor sing songs, nor write stories, nor dance jigs for a living--and you have to do one or another to be in with that set. And it's got to be a Johnny-on-the-spot with Bertram. All is, something will have to be done to get him out of the state of mind and body he's in now, or--” Arkwright wheeled sharply. “When did you say this jamboree was going to be?” he demanded. “Next week, some time. The date is not settled. They were going to consult you.” “Hm-m,” commented Arkwright. And, though his next remark was a complete change of subject, Calderwell gave a contented sigh. If, when the proposition was first made to him, Arkwright was doubtful of his ability to be a successful “Johnny-on-the-spot,” he was even more doubtful of it as the days passed, and he was attempting to carry out the suggestion. He had known that he was undertaking a most difficult and delicate task, and he soon began to fear that it was an impossible one, as well. With a dogged persistence, however, he adhered to his purpose, ever on the alert to be more watchful, more tactful, more efficient in emergencies. Disagreeable as was the task, in a way, in another way it was a great pleasure to him. He was glad of the opportunity to do anything for Billy; and then, too, he was glad of something absorbing enough to take his mind off his own affairs. He told himself, sometimes, that this helping another man to fight his tiger skin was assisting himself to fight his own.