"Oh, if you would! She drives me nearly crazy with her questions, why I can't get more money." "Well, we'll talk about it to-morrow--while Miriam is out." Jack's next move was to seek out Kate. To do this it was necessary to don the Pitman make-up, that he was heartily sick of now; he vowed it should be Mr. P.'s final appearance. He found her in her little sitting-room, and first he had to tell her of the exciting events of the morning, concluding with the astonishing telephone conversation. Her face blanched a little, when she heard of the threat. "Well, you are satisfied, aren't you?" she asked in an offhand tone, "I mean if it's true that he's quit." "Let him get away?" said Jack surprised. "Oh, Kate!" Kate hung her head blushing. "The point is, are you satisfied to have me stop?" Jack demanded. "You know what you said." "I don't think you ought to take unnecessary risks," she murmured. This was sweet to Jack. In order to get more of it he made believe not to see her drift. "As to that," he said carelessly, "the risk is no greater than it's been right along." She shook her head. "No, I feel he means what he says. It was a warning. He has a queer sense of fair play." The enraptured Jack forgot Mr. B. and all else. "Kitty, do you realize what you're saying!" he cried. "Do you mean you are satisfied I've done my job, and are willing to marry me now? You blessed darling! We could get a license this afternoon. We don't need any further preparations, do we? Oh, what happiness!" "I wouldn't marry you at an hour's notice--or any man!" said Kate with an indignation, somewhat weakened by the consciousness of her inconsistency. "I need weeks to get ready in!" "Weeks!" echoed Jack with falling countenance. "Well, days, anyway." "But will you, in a week?" "Will you give up the chase of this man? Turn your case over to the police now. After all it's their business." A reaction took place in Jack. "Oh, Kitty!" he said in distress. "How can I? All my life I'd feel as if I'd left my job half finished. I'd feel as if I'd been scared off. How could I respect myself? How could you respect me?" She snatched her hand out of his. At first he thought he had offended her, but presently he perceived that she was moved by quite a different feeling. She was ashamed. She lifted an humble glance to his. "You're right," she whispered. "It was just a moment of weakness. I wouldn't have let you give it up really, when I had had time to think. How will you be able to respect me now?" He rapturously repossessed himself of her hand. "Kitty, you silly! Do you think I will be blaming you for loving me a little! How many times have I come to you ready to give up, and had you send me back into the fight again! This just equalizes things a little." He smiled at her teasingly. "You won't be able to be so superior, that's all!"