A Splendid Hazard. Harold MacGrath

apparent that in no time of its history had it been left to run down. The hall and lower left wing were lighted, but the inner blinds and curtains were drawn. He did not waste any time. It was exactly eight o'clock when he stepped up to the door and pulled the ancient wire bell. At once he saw signs of life. The broad door opened, and an English butler, having scrutinized his face, silently motioned him to be seated. The young man in search of an adventure selected the far end of the hall seat and dandled his hat. An English butler was a good beginning. Perhaps three minutes passed, then the door to the library opened and a young woman came out. Fitzgerald stood up.

      Yes, it was she.

      "So you have come?" There was welcome neither in her tone nor face, nor was there the suggestion of any other sentiment.

      "Yes. I am not sure that I gave you my name, Miss Killigrew." He was secretly confused over this enigmatical reception.

      She nodded. She had been certain that, did he come at all, he would come in the knowledge of who she was.

      "I am John Fitzgerald," he said.

      She thought for a space. "Are you the Mr. Fitzgerald who wrote the long article recently on the piracy in the Chinese Seas?"

      "Yes," full of wonder.

      Interest began to stir her face. "It turns out, then, rather better than I expected. I can see that you are puzzled. I picked you out of many yesterday, on impulse, because you had the sang-froid necessary to carry out your jest to the end."

      "I am glad that I am not here under false colors. What I did yesterday was, as you say, a jest. But, on the other hand, are you not playing me one in kind? I have much curiosity."