The man waved his hand dismissingly and the negro salaamed and left the room. After a moment the man turned to Tom and said, with obvious perplexity: “I am not sure it is wise for me to meddle, but perhaps it is written that I am to help you three times. Who knows?” He stared into Tom's eyes as though he would read a word there--either yes or no. But Tom said, a trifle impatiently: “Well, sir?” “Go to the opera to-night. Take seat H 77. No other seat will do.” “H 77--to-night,” repeated Thomas Thorne Merriwether. “The opera is 'Madame Butterfly.'” “Thanks,” said Tom, and started for the door. He halted when the man spoke. “It is the seat back of G 77. None other will do.” “Good day, sir,” said Tom, and left the room. IV The telephone operator in E. H. Merriwether's office manipulated the plugs in the switchboard and answered in advance: “Mr. Merriwether's office!” From the other end of the wire came: “This is the Rivulet Club. Mr. Waters wishes to speak to Mr. E. H. Merriwether. Personal matter.” “He's engaged just now. Will any one else do?” “No. Say it is Mr. Waters--about Mr. Tom Merriwether.” People resorted to all manner of tricks and subterfuges to speak to Mr. E. H. Merriwether--deluded people who thought they could get what they wished if only they could speak to Mr. Merriwether himself. They never succeeded. He was too well guarded by highly paid experts who prevented the waste of his precious time. But the telephone operator knew her business. She switched the would-be conversationalist on to the private secretary's line, saying: “Mr. Waters, Rivulet Club, wishes to speak to Mr. E. H. in regard to Mr. Tom Merriwether.” “I'll talk to him,” hastily said the private secretary. “Hello, Mr. Waters! This is McWayne, Mr. Merriwether's private secretary. Has anything happened to Tom that--Oh! Yes--of course! At once, Mr. Waters.” McWayne then had the operator put Mr. Waters on Mr. E. H.'s wire. “Who?” said the czar of the Pacific & Southwestern. “Waters? Oh yes. Go ahead!” And Mr. E. H. Merriwether heard, in a young man's voice: