S-S-S-S-outherland!"  

"Exactly; without quite so many S's," said Keen, smiling.  

"Did she discover that--that person?" exclaimed the young man, startled.  

"She thinks she has. I am not sure she is correct; but I am absolutely certain that Miss Southerland could eventually discover the person you were in search of. It seems a little hard on her--just on the eve of success--to lose. But that can't be helped now."  

Gatewood, more excited and uncomfortable than he had ever been in all his life, watched Keen intently.  

"Too bad, too bad," muttered the Tracer to himself. "The child needs the encouragement. It meant a thousand dollars to her--" He shrugged his shoulders, looked up, and, as though rather surprised to see Gatewood still there, smiled an impersonal smile and offered his hand in adieu. Gatewood winced.  

"Could I--I see Miss Southerland?" he asked.  

"I am afraid not. She is at this moment following my instructions to--but that cannot interest you now--"  

"Yes, it does!--if you don't mind. Where is she? I--I'll take a look at the person she discovered; I will, really."  

"Why, it's only this: I suspected that you might identify a person whom I had reason to believe was to be found every morning riding in the Park. So Miss Southerland has been riding there every day. Yesterday she came here, greatly excited--"  

"Yes--yes--go on!"  

Keen gazed dreamily at the sunny window. "She thought she had found your--er--the person. So I said you would meet her on the bridle path, near--but that's of no interest now--"  

"Near where?" demanded Gatewood, suppressing inexplicable excitement. And as Keen said nothing: "I'll go; I want to go, I really do! Can't--can't a fellow change his mind? Oh, I know you think I'm a lunatic, and there's plenty of reason, too!"  

Keen studied him calmly. "Yes, plenty of reason, plenty of reason, Mr. Gatewood. But do you suppose you are the only one? I know another who was perfectly sane two weeks ago."  

The young man waited impatiently; the Tracer paced the room, gray head bent, delicate, wrinkled hands clasped loosely behind his bent back.  

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