Suppressing their tendencies to play tricks with the officer on the corner, Lawrence managed at length to find a taxi, into which they piled, and started for the Minturn mansion. His companions pleaded for a "joy ride" through Central Park, and were moved to tears when he said it was too cold for an early-morning plunge in the reservoir. There was almost a fight at the Minturn house, but, with the unexpected and welcome assistance of a footman who had been waiting up, Barry managed to get them both inside, having first slipped the borrowed money into their waistcoat pockets. It was just four o’clock when Barry reached the St. Albans, and he was feeling tired and sleepy. Reaching his rooms, he lost no time in flinging off his clothes and diving into bed. In the interest and excitement of the past few days he had almost forgotten that in less than a week he would be free to live his own life as he chose. He had been going about in a sort of dream, but the sight of Julian Farr’s face that night, bent over the gaming table, and the realization of everything it might mean to him, had awakened him effectually. To-morrow he would seek out Charlie Biddle, and enlist his coöperation. After that—well, he had an idea that things would be doing. *CHAPTER XXI.* *IN THE NEXT COMPARTMENT.* Lawrence intended to be up early, but it was late in the morning before he was awakened with a start by the tinkle of the room telephone. Leaping out of bed, he hastened into the sitting room, and, unhooking the receiver, recognized Jock Hamersley’s booming voice at the other end of the wire. "You’re a deuce of a fellow, you are! What in thunder did you go and quit last night for?" "I wasn’t feeling a bit fit, Jock," Barry explained, "so I lit out before supper. I’ll bet you didn’t notice I was gone till it came time to go home. Say, can’t you meet me in the Belmont café about five this afternoon? I want to talk to you about something." "I’m going to be mighty busy. Why not lunch together?" "Can’t. I’ve got a date for luncheon." Hamersley’s snort made the wires buzz. "Hang you and your dates!" he exploded. "That’s what you said yesterday. You’re such a popular guy I s’pose you’ve got every lunch and dinner taken for a week ahead." Lawrence’s lips twitched at the unconscious closeness with which his friend came to the truth, but he only laughed. "Sure, I have!" he returned lightly. "Well," retorted Hamersley sarcastically, "seeing you’re such an unaccommodating grouch, I’ll meet you at the Belmont, only just blame yourself if you cool your heels for half an hour." Barry hung up the receiver, chuckling. Then his face grew suddenly serious, and he reached for the telephone directory. Having found the number of Biddle’s apartment, he called it without delay, and a man’s voice answered.