The connecting door opened, and the young man walked in. His chief eyed him thoughtfully. "Young man, you have picked up a complexion like a professional beauty's. What is your secret?" "I daresay it is exercise. I have just walked out to Kern's Castle and back." "H'm. Five miles if it's a step." "And a half. I do it--twice a week--in an hour and seven minutes." The Colonel thought of his own over-rubicund cheek and sighed. "Well, whom or what do you wish to crucify to-morrow?" "I am at your orders there." "Have you examined Deputy Clerk Folsom's reply to Councilman Hannigan's charge? What do you think of it?" "I think it puts Hannigan in a very awkward position." "I agree with you. Suppose you seek to show that to the city in half a column." Queed bowed. "I may, perhaps, remind you, Colonel, of the meeting in New York to-morrow to prepare for the celebration of the Darwin centennial. If you desired I should be glad to prepare, apropos of this, a brief monograph telling in a light, popular way what Darwin did for the world." "And what did Darwin do for the world?" The grave young man made a large grave gesture which indicated the immensity of Darwin's doings for the world. "Which topic do you prefer to handle--Folsom on Hannigan, or what Darwin did for the world?" "I think," said Queed, "that I should prefer to handle both." "Ten people will read Hannigan to one who reads Darwin." "Don't you think that it is the _Post's_ business to reduce that proportion?" "Take them both," said the Colonel presently. "But always remember this: the great People are more interested in a cat-fight at the corner of Seventh and Centre Streets than they are in the greatest exploit of the greatest scientific theorist that ever lived." "I will remember what you say, Colonel." "I want you," resumed Colonel Cowles, "to take supper with me at the club. Not to-night--I'm engaged. Shall we say to-morrow night, at seven?" Queed accepted without perceptible hesitation. Some time had passed since he became aware that the Colonel had somehow insinuated himself into that list of friends which had halted so long at Tim and Murphy Queed. Besides, he had a genuine, unscientific desire to see what a real club looked like inside. So far, his knowledge of clubs was absolutely confined to the Mercury Athletic Association, B. Klinker, President.