The Third Degree

he Astruria in size and magnificence. Occupying an entire block in the very heart of the residential district, it took precedence over all the other apartment hotels of the metropolis as the bigg

d a postal-telegraph office. A special feature was the garden court, containing over 30,000 square feet of open space, and tastefully laid out with plants and flowers. Here fountains splashed and an orchestra played while the patrons lounged on comfortable rattan chairs

partments were of noble dimensions, richly decorated, and equipped with every device, new and old, that modern science and builders' ingenuity could suggest. That the rents were on a scale with the grandeur of the establishment goes

chatter and bustle in corridors and stairways. Stillness reigned everywhere as if the sobering influence of the Sabbath had invaded even this exclusive domain of the unholy rich. The uniformed attendants, having nothing to do, yaw

reception when a man came in by the main entrance from Broadway, and

must treat respectfully. No one divines a man's or woman's social status quicker or more unerringly than a servant. The attendant saw at once that the man did not belong to the clas

erwood in?"

ter a pause. Like most hall boys, he took a sava

er looke

with a frown. "I have a

true, but the bluff

nt! Why didn't yo

e switchboard, and without rising

s the

Benni

e transmitter a

led to see M

rs was in doubt whether to admit that he was hom

go up. Apartment 165

, Ruysdaels, Reynoldses, Corots, Henners, some on easels, some resting on the floor; handsome French bronzes, dainty china on Japanese teakwood tables, antique furniture, gold-embroidered clerical vestments, hand-painted screens, costly Oriental rugs, rare ceramics-all were confusedly jumbled together. On a grand piano in a

g, and no one was likely to disturb him. Ferris, his man-servant, had taken his usual Sunday off and would not return until midnight. The apartment was still as the grave. It was so high above the street that not a sound reached up from the noisy Broadway b

oment. Crushed in his left hand was a copy of the New York Herald containing an elaborate account of the brilliant reception and musicale given

ssing. How could he explain their absence? The art dealers were already suspicious. They were not to be put off any longer with excuses. Any moment they might insist either on the immediate return of their property or on payment in full. He was in the position to do neither. Th

aristocratic Mrs. Howard Jeffries he could still hold his head high in the world. No one would dare question his integrity, but now s

ne. To-night his face frightened him. His eyes had a fixed stare like those of a man he had once seen in a madhouse. He wondered if men looked like that when they were about to be executed. Was not his own hour close at hand? He wondered why the clock was so noisy; it see

If he did not hear from her it must be for to-night. One s

wood jumped forward, startled. His nerves were so unstrung that he was ever apprehensive of danger. With a tremulous hand, he took hold of the receiver and placed it to h

d hi

anager of the firm of dealers whose goods he disposed of. He could not make restitution. Prosecution was inevitable. Disgrace and prison would follow. He could not sta

Underwood opened it. As he recognized hi

gton, this i

ir of a man who has come on an unpleasant errand, but w

pect me, did y

e way back into the sitting room, and mak

wn, won

It was evident that he did not wish his

be frank, my mission is rather

Affecting to misinterpret t

delicate business. God knows it's a precarious one!"

pt him to swerve from the object of his mission. While Underwood was talking

drink," urged

replied Mr. Be

turned squ

firm insists on the immediate return of their property." Poin

his visitor did not notice that he had grown suddenl

done a lot of business through me? Haven't I got pri

Mr. Underwood, we've received information that you've sold many of the val

accounted for almost everything. The rest of the thi

from the desk, he off

nnington coldly, pushing

l. Throwing away his cigar with an angry

exceedingly difficult. I have a large amount of money outstanding. After our pleasant business relations it seems absurd and most unfair that your fi

shrugged hi

me either to raise the money

flashed with suppresse

d a small fortune to keep up appearances. These society people won't buy if they think you really need the money. I've had to give expensive dinners

as a hard, uncompromising look in

to-morrow. I thought it fair to

d stoppe

," he echo

some time. When you tried to sell these things to old Defries for one-quarter their real value he instantly recognized where they came

derwood. "Why are they

ngton quickly, he

lways been on the square. Can't you tell them it

ted. An expression of fear came over his face. Perhaps the firm had already sw

he telephone. The name was repeated and

earth does he want? I can'

ok his hat an

I must

ung up the receiver mechanically. "It's

he made a close scrutiny of the walls as if searching f

see the V

"It's out-out on probation. Oh, it's a

n continued h

obelin tapestry,"

d desperately. "Good God, you don't know what it means to me, Benn

ympathetic and Underwood threw himself

en't been going my way lately. I don't care a hang whether school keeps

ront door bell

looked closely at his companion, as if trying

d of the telephone,"

he door and Howard

ow goes it?" was h

to brace him up for the "strike" he was about to make. The back door of a saloon was conveniently open and while he was refreshing himself two other men he knew dropped in. Before he knew it, half a dozen drinks had been absorbed, and he had spent the whole o

n or not, so I came up anyhow." Glancing at Be

s usefulness as far as he was concerned. He was at a loss to guess why he had come to see him unin

I'm glad t

, as he advanced further into the r

to get rid of his unwelcome visitor at the firs

on-Mr. Howard

with his scapegrace son, and he eyed, with some interest

hant's tusk at his place in the days when I was somebody." With mock

d stay awhile?" said U

st," replied Howard, making his way to th

ntirely lost on his new visitor, who was rapidly getting into a maudl

wonderful set of ivory ch

n smiled

ed. Ah, your father i

into boiste

y old thing. I don't care what it is, he can criticise it. 'When in doubt-criticise,' is nailed on father

d good humoredly,

r. Jeffries. Good ni

owed the manag

t!" he sai