“Well, he goes and walks before her doorway every evenin’, as the twilight falls, and sometimes they take a stroll together. And--by the same token! she lives in the same house where Miss Betty lodges----” Noll rose to his feet. “Where?” The barber was startled. Noll strode up to him: “Where does Miss Betty live?” he asked, hoarsely. The little barber gazed at him: “It isn’t ghosts ye are seeing, Mr. Noll?” he asked. Noll put his hand on the other’s shoulder: “Quick, man--where is the house?” “Ah, now--Mr. Noll--ye’re pullin’ the innocent leg of me,” he said, laughing. Noll pulled himself together. He strode to the door. “Quick, Devlin--for God’s sake! Which way does--the--the man of pallid ideals usually go?” he asked roughly. The barber followed him to the street, and standing in the lamp-lit dusk he pointed out the way: “Up there, till ye reach that turn by the red pillar-box, then sharp to the right--then straight on till ye---- Begad, he’s off like a policeman down the kitchen steps when the area belle’s a-ringing----” He stood gaping at the vanishing figure of the youth who strode up the street. The little man’s jaw dropped. “Oh, murder!” He scratched his poll aghast: “Mother of God!” said he--“of coorse! Victoria May Alice told me--there’s been a misunderstandin’--or maybe even a partin’--or some heathen tom-noddy----” He walked into his shop soberly. “Mike Devlin,” said he--and he rubbed his chin ruefully: “ye’ve put your great damn foot slap into the big drum of the farcical tragedy.” Noll strode out. In the glimmering grey of the hustling world he tramped; but the hush was alive with whispers--and the blood was jumping in him. He caught sight at last of the distant back of the Man of Pallid Ideals. He turned, after some walking, into one of those silent streets that give off the noisy thoroughfare of the roaring city, and by the silence he knew that he was in a street where lodgings are. At once he slackened pace, for, a hundred strides before him, walked slowly the slender Man of Pallid Ideals, who at last halted, stood a little while looking up at a window across the street, sighed, and passed brooding into the twilight beyond. Not so Noll. He marked the halting-place, paced the distance, and swung round towards the house opposite. In the topmost window was a light; and Noll knew that by that light was Betty sitting--that the light was on her nut-brown hair--kissing her cheek---- He strode straight across the road, and rang the bell. When the maid opened the door, Noll said: “I wish to see Miss Betty Modeyne at once, please--lead the way to her rooms.” The maid, used to the unquestioning obedience of orders, when given with authority, led the way upstairs, regardless of all the proprieties, careless of etiquette.... Arrived at the topmost landing, she threw open the door: