"Is it?" returned Kirkwood coolly. He disengaged his fingers.

The pink plump face was contorted in a furtive grimace of deprecation.Without waiting for permission Calendar dropped into the vacant chair.

"My dear sir," he proceeded, unabashed, "I throw myself upon your mercy."

"The devil you do!"

"I must. I'm in the deuce of a hole, and there's no one I know here besidesyourself. I--I--"

Kirkwood saw fit to lead him on; partly because, out of the corner of hiseye, he was aware of the girl's unconcealed suspense. "Go on, please, Mr.Calendar. You throw yourself on a total stranger's mercy because you're inthe deuce of a hole; and--?"

"It's this way; I'm called away on urgent business imperative business.I must go at once. My daughter is with me. My daughter! Think of myembarrassment; I can not leave her here, alone, nor can I permit her to gohome unprotected."

Calendar paused in anxiety.

"That's easily remedied, then," suggested Kirkwood.

"How?"

"Put her in a cab at the door."

"I ... No. The devil! I couldn't think of it. You won't comprehend. I--"

"I do not understand,--" amended the youthfuler man politely.