To-day the president of the Americo-African Mining Company was in the highest spirits. Everything had gone according to his expectations. Kenneth was home with the big diamonds safe in his possession. The directors could not fail to give him (Parker) credit for his sagacity and enterprise. The stocks of the company would soar above par. Fortune was smiling on them in no uncertain way. Was it a wonder he was feeling in the best of humors? "How do you know the diamonds are safe?" questioned Helen anxiously. "In such a terrible panic as there must have been on that ship a man thinks only of saving himself." "Pshaw!" replied the president confidently. "I'm as sure of it as that I'm here. It was understood that he was never to part with the stones under any circumstances. They are in a belt he wears round his waist next to his skin. If the diamonds were not here, Kenneth would not be here. Knowing he is safe I am convinced that they are safe." "Will you wait here until he comes?" "No, I can't. There's a meeting of the directors this afternoon. I must attend. I'll call him up on the telephone----" "But you are coming to dinner this evening----" "Yes, yes, of course." With a smile he added: "Now, don't get too spoony when he comes, or else Ken will have no head for business." "No fear," laughed Helen. "We are too long married for that." "Well, good-bye. I'll see you later." The president took his hat and turned to go. As he reached the door he turned round. "By the bye, have you seen Signor Keralio lately?" Helen's face grew more serious. "No--Signor Keralio does not call here any more-at my request." The president gave a low, expressive whistle. Holding out his hand he said: "Got his walking papers, eh? Well, I guess if you don't like him he isn't much good. I never did care for the look of him." "Why did you ask?" she inquired. "I was just curious--that's all. He's a persistent, uncomfortable kind of man. I don't like his face. It's a face I wouldn't trust----" "That's why he's not coming here any more," she replied calmly. "He forgot himself and that was the end----" The president turned to go. "Well, good-bye. Ken will be here soon." "Good-bye." He went away, and once more Helen resumed her lonely vigil at the library window, straining her ears to catch the direction of every passing car, catching her breath with suspense as each pedestrian came into view. They could not be much longer. She wondered if he had missed her as much as she had him. No, men do not feel these things in the way women do. They are too busy--their minds too much preoccupied with their work. The turmoil of affairs absorbed their attention. The clock struck the three-quarters, and the reverberations of the chimes had not entirely died away, when through the partly opened window came the sound of a taxicab suddenly stopping in front of the door.