She turned her back on him again and walked to and fro, beating her hands together in her passion. And now ire boiled in Dodd. He directed it all at the man who had interfered. “This is no business of yours, you loafer. I don't know who you are, but you--” Farr grabbed the switching cane as he would have swept into his palm an annoying insect. He broke it into many pieces between his sinewy fingers and tossed the bits into Dodd's convulsed face. “You'll know me better later on--you and your uncle, too. Ask him what I advised him to do about having his weapon loose on his hip--take the same advice for yourself.” Then his expression altered suddenly. A disquieting jog of memory prompted him to yank out the cheap watch. Twelve minutes to nine. It was a long way to the foot of the steps of the Mellicite Club! And Union Hall was filled with men who were patiently waiting for him to keep his pledged word! “I hope you'll be all right now,” he said to the girl, haste in his tones. “I'm sorry--I must go--I have an important engagement.” Her eyes met his in level gaze, turned scornful glance at the others in the room, and then came back to his. “Are you going in the direction of the Boulevard?” she asked him. “Straight there.” “Will you bother with me as far as the Boulevard?” “If you are a good walker,” he informed her. There was strict business in her tone and cool civility in his. “I'm going along with this gentleman, mother.” Farr ushered her ahead of him through the shattered door. “But I want to walk home with you, my child,” wailed the sobbing woman. “You'd better ask Mr. Dodd to escort you. And I trust that the talk you and he will have will bring both of you to your senses.” She hurried away up the alley with Farr, after he had unlocked the front door, finding the key on the inside. “I am sorry I must hurry you,” he apologized, “and if you cannot keep up I must desert you when we get to a well-lighted street.” She drove a sharp side glance at him and did not reply. Probably for the first time in her life she heard a young man declare with determination that he was in a hurry to leave her. Even a sensible young woman who is pretty must feel some sort of momentary pique because a young man can have engagements so summary and so engrossing. He offered her his arm that they might walk faster. Her touch thrilled him. He was far from feeling the outward calm that he displayed to her. They did not speak as they hurried. Both were nearly breathless when they came out on the Boulevard. He saw the big clock--its hands were nearly at the right angle. “Good night!” she gasped, and she put out her hand to him. “I thank you!” “It was nothing,” he assured her.