"You know this fellow, Mr. Brewster?" demanded the captain, quickly. Bill looked utterly helpless. 

 "Know Bill?" questioned Monty in surprise. "Of course I do, Captain." 

 "He was picked up late last night and detained, because he would give no account of his actions." 

 "Was it as bad as that, Bill?" asked Brewster, with a smile. Bill mumbled something and assumed a look of defiance. Monty's attitude puzzled him sorely. He hardly breathed for an instant, and gulped perceptibly. 

 "Pass Bill, Captain. He was with me last night just before my money was taken, and he couldn't possibly have robbed me without my knowledge. Wait for me outside, Bill. I want to talk to you. I'm quite sure neither of the thieves is here, Captain," concluded Brewster, after Bill had obeyed the order to step out of the line. 

 Outside the door the puzzled crook met Brewster, who shook him warmly by the hand. 

 "You're a peach," whispered Bill, gratefully "What did you do it for, mister?" 

 "Because you were kind enough not to cut my shirt." 

 "Say, you're all right, that's what. Would you mind havin' a drink with me? It's your money, but the drink won't be any the worse for that. We blowed most of it already, but here's what's left." Bill handed Monty a roll of bills. 

 "I'd a kept it if you'd made a fight," he continued, "but it ain't square to keep it now." 

 Brewster refused the money, but took back his watch. 

 "Keep it, Bill," he said, "you need it more than I do. It's enough to set you up in some other trade. Why not try it?" 

 "I will try, boss," and Bill was so profuse in his thanks that Monty had difficulty in getting away; As he climbed into a cab he heard Bill say, "I will try, boss, and say, if ever I can do anything for you jes' put me nex'. I'm nex' you all de time." 

 He gave the driver the name of his club, but as he was passing the Waldorf he remembered that he had several things to say to Mrs. Dan. The order was changed, and a few moments later he was received in Mrs. Dan's very special den. She wore something soft and graceful in lavender, something that was light and wavy and evanescent, and made you watch its changing shadows. Monty looked down at her with 

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