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 and how it affected him—divining that her own adored person was the only subject likely to distract her curiosity. In this he sufficiently absorbed her till the cab turned down a quiet side street and drew up before an unpretentious door, over which an illuminated sign announced "Gagano's Restaurant."

Delighted excitement thrilled Philippa as she pulled up her collar and drew down her hat, with the traditional gestures of disguise.

Valdeck restrained her as she gathered her belongings preparatory to alighting. "Stay here," he said, quietly. "I'll go up and arrange so you won't have to wait in hallways." He paid the driver, ran up the steps, and disappeared between the ground-glass doors.

Several minutes elapsed, during which Philippa, from the darkness of her shelter, looked out with fear and curiosity at the men and women who passed in the street or hurried into the restaurant. At last Valdeck came rapidly down the steps, glancing sharply up and down the street as he did so, assisted her to alight, and escorted her into the house. A narrow corridor opened before 144