Radlett drew back into the shadow where the lamplight could not reveal the expression of his face. “All the prizes in life?” he queried with scornful emphasis. “No, not all by a damn sight. You see, Stephen, I feel as if Fate had stood over me with a deuced ironical smile, and said: ‘You shall have your every wish in life—except the one thing that you want most of all—the one thing that would make you happy.’” “Hm,” murmured Loring, shaking out the embers from his pipe and gazing into the empty bowl. “With any one else I should say that meant a woman; but with you it could not be.” “Why not with me as well as with any other man?” “Because there is no woman alive who would be fool enough to refuse you.” “Bless your heart, Stephen! It is only your blind loyalty that makes you think me irresistible.” “Do you mean that there really is a woman so benighted? What is she thinking of?” “I imagine,” answered Radlett slowly, “that you might change that ‘what’ to _whom_.” “You would have me believe that knowing you, she prefers some one else?” asked Loring incredulously. “Why, Baird, it is impossible.” “By no means. I think I know the man.” Loring’s blood boiled. “Who is the brute?” he cried out. “Tell me and I will kill him, break his neck, shoot him.” Baird smiled wryly, blew a cloud of smoke toward the roof, and observed: “If I were you, Stephen, I would do nothing rash. But come, we have talked long enough of me and my affairs. Let us talk now about you and yours! Suppose, for instance, you tell me why you turned the color of a meerschaum pipe when Miss Cameron appeared in the doorway to-night.” Loring started and looked quickly at Radlett. “You noticed that, did you? Well, you have quick eye and a gift for drawing conclusions, but they may not always be right.” “Not always, no; but this time they are, aren’t they? Be honest, Stephen, are you or are you not in love with Jean Cameron?” “Excuse me, but that can not interest you to know.” “Perhaps not, and perhaps it is a damned impertinence to inquire, but after all an old friendship gives some privileges.”