He was hungry for a sight of Ruth's face and for a word with her. In spite of the feeling within him that everything had gone wrong during the past several hours, he turned to the thought of his beautiful girl-wife as a child turns to its mother when it wishes comfort. Circumstances may have handed John Ryder some awful jolts during the past night; but his thought of Ruth was one of joy and the delight of possession. He started, rubbing his eyes and yawning, for Suite Three. Just as he reached the door a maid came out. She evidently recognized Ryder when he asked: "What's going on in there this morning?" "Oh, she's sleeping, sir. Just as swate as a baby. I've been filling the heater again and I left it burning, sir, so it would be warm when she gets up. Yes, sir. "Who? Mrs. Judson?" Ryder asked gloomily. "Bless you! No, sir. _She_ went back to her own room hours ago. Doctor says she's all right. Gittin' scare't about her jool'ry cured her quicker than his medicines." "She's gone!" cried Ryder in delight. "Yes, sir. Oh, thank you, sir! 'Tis your own little lady I was spakin' of. Shall--shall I open the door for ye, sir, with me pass key?" "No, no!" said John Ryder, blushing a little but feeling extremely relieved. "I won't disturb her if she's sleeping," and he immediately turned toward the breakfast room. Going down the main stairway, he saw Colonel Aurelius Brack and his wife before him, the doughty colonel having difficulty in making the trip because of his artificial limb. He had gone up to his room the night before while the elevators were still running, and now depended upon the balustrade and his wife's arm to get safely to the bottom of the flight of steps. Mrs. Brack was a delightfully motherly looking woman with a face as peaceful as the colonel's was stormy. He scowled savagely at John Ryder. The latter wished for no words with the old fire-eater, especially in the presence of his wife; but as he would have passed them the woman placed a detaining hand on his arm. "You are Mr. Ryder?" she asked sweetly. Ryder felt his face flush, and he was as confused as a boy caught in some peccadillo. He was sorry now that, in his ill temper, he had treated the colonel so cavalierly in the café. The colonel looked away from the younger man, but the latter could not avoid Mrs. Brack's searching gaze. "I am sure you are the gentleman who put himself out to make me comfortable," she said softly. "I thank you very much for the stove and light. It was very good of you to remember an old woman--and a stranger. But I hope we will not be strangers now. I want to meet your charming wife, whom I saw at dinner last evening." "Thank you, Madam!" exclaimed Ryder, his coldness melted instantly by her courtesy. "But you should thank the clerk and the steward. Without their advice and assistance I should not have known those guests who were clearly entitled to consideration."