“One thing about this matter gives me pain,” the Canadian says presently. “You refer to Bob Rocket and his mission?” remarks the actor, still busy with knife and fork. “Yes. He comes to arrest John Phœnix, whom we know to be the son of Samson Cereal.” “That is unfortunate, but the young man has embezzled fifty thousand dollars from the mining company, and the outraged law of Colorado must take its course. You wouldn’t think of hindering Rocket in the discharge of his duty, Aleck?” “Oh, no! far from it. At the same time, I cannot help regretting the circumstance. It will be a blow to Dorothy, who seems to think a good deal of this half brother. They must have met before.” “Perhaps corresponded. As for myself, I am amazed at the young man’s foolhardiness. Why has he allowed the fatal attraction of the Fair to detain him here when he should be across the lakes in Canada. That’s the trouble with most men--they don’t use common sense under such circumstances.” “We’ve got more than we want of them over in Canada. If my country should ever become a member of your Union, which, I grant you, is a possible thing, though I’m not one in favor of it, there will be such an exodus of boodle aldermen and other rascals as has never been seen before; and no honest man in the Dominion will shed a tear. Why, some among us favor annexation simply to save Canada from being the dumping ground of your swindlers.” Wycherley laughs at this, and hands his plate to the staring waiter with an aside “a little more of that delicious roast beef--and be sure to have it rare.” “You visit the Cereal manse to-night, I believe, Aleck. I wonder if John will be there. Perhaps he and his father in times gone by have had a falling out, and Dorothy is patching up the peace between them. Very clever of her. She’s a girl in a thousand, and remembering who her mother was--begging your pardon, my dear boy, as she may yet be a mother-in-law to you--I am amazed and wonder where she got her sensible ways. Then there’s Bob Rocket--I know the man to a dot--he’ll be around, and if it should so happen that he receives his telegram in the midst of the festivities, he’ll arrest his man right there. Twenty millionaires wouldn’t awe him, nor would he respect the palace of the Czar of Russia. With the majesty of the law back of him he’d do his duty.” “Then we’ll hope that his instructions, having been delayed so long, will continue to dally, at least until the evening is well spent. If Mr. Cereal is reconciled to his son, it would be too humiliating to have the boy arrested at his house. At any rate, I shall keep clear of it, and for Dorothy’s sake would like to see John get away.” This absorbing topic has monopolized their conversation thus far, but having in a measure exhausted it, they branch out upon other subjects.