Kellogg freed himself, only to seize both Nat's hands and squeeze them violently. "Wanted to see you," he replied, beaming. "On my way to Cincinnati on business--thought I'd drop off for a night and size you up. My, but it's good to get a look at you! How are you?" "Me? Look at me--picture of health. Harry, you've made a new man of me." Duncan pranced round his friend in a mild frenzy. "No booze--no smokes--no swears--work! I feel like a two-year-old: I could do a Marathon without turning a hair. Watch me kick up my heels and neigh!" He paused for breath. "And you?" "Fine as silk--but you've got it on me, Nat, physically. You're a sight to heal the blind." "And listen!" Nat crowed: "I'm a business man. Didn't you believe it? Pipe my shop!" Kellogg checked to obey the admonition of Duncan's gesticulations, and took a long look round the store. "Gad!" said he. "I'm blowed if it isn't true! It _was_ hard to credit your letters. But it's great, old man. I congratulate you, with all my heart." "Just wait and I'll tell you all about it. But first tell me how long you're going to be here." "Well, I plan to hang around with you a couple of days. My business in the West isn't pressing." "Good!" "Which is the least worst hotel?" "There ain't no such thing in the whole giddy town.... No, none of that hotel stuff, now I I'm going to put you up--and I'll do it in style, too. I wrote you about taking a new place for the Grahams?" "Yes, and I'm mighty keen to meet 'em. The girl here?" "Betty? No; she's coming home to-morrow. But Graham himself is upstairs in the laboratory. Take you up in a minute, but not before I've had a good look at you." Kellogg found himself a chair. "Well," he inquired, twinkling, "how's the scheme working out? Are you really living up to all the rules?" "Every singletary one." "You have got a strong constitution.... Even prayer-meetings?" "The church thing? Honest, Harry, I _own_ it." "Bully for you, Nat. But how does it work? Was I right?" "I should say you were. It's so easy it's a shame to do it. If this thing ever should get into the papers there'd be a swarm of city men lighting out for the Rube centres so thick you wouldn't be able to see the sky." "I knew it! Trust your Uncle Harry." Kellogg waited a time for further particulars, but Duncan seemed stuck; his transports of the few minutes just gone were sensibly abated; and the sidelong look he gave Kellogg was both uneasy and rueful--apprehensive, indeed. So Kellogg had to pump for news. "And you've made a strong play for the fond affections of Lockwood's daughter?" "Certainly not!" "Not--?" "You forget your rules." Nat grinned, whimsical. "I let her to make a play for me." "Of course. My mistake.... But how has it worked?" "Oh! immense." Duncan's tone, however, was wholly destitute of enthusiasm. He stuck his hands in his trousers' pockets and half turned away from his friend, looking out of the window.