He made the trip to New York in safety, transacted his business in a most satisfactory manner, and set out upon his return highly elated—several hours earlier than he had anticipated, his traveling-bag stuffed with toys and goodies for Minnie, some dainty and expensive trifles for his wife, and a set of diamond studs and sleeve-buttons which Phil had long coveted, and which he knew would be most acceptable, in view of the coming ball.
As soon as the train started he settled himself comfortably in his compartment, donned his traveling-cap, and was soon absorbed in his newspaper.
He read for an hour or more, and then started for the smoking-car. As he stepped inside of it and was in the act of closing the door behind him, he observed a man in the second seat on the left half-start to his feet and regard him with scowling intentness.
For a moment it seemed to William Temple that a hundred-pound sledge-hammer had crushed down upon his heart and brain. His strength suddenly forsook him, and it seemed as if he could not move another inch if his life depended upon it, while a blur came before his eyes.
But it was only for an instant. The next, his glance shot ahead, as if he was intent only upon finding a seat for himself, and he moved on, to all appearance, utterly oblivious of the fact that he had attracted special attention, or had himself observed any one whom he had ever known.
But he had not taken three steps when a brawny hand gripped his arm. He drew himself haughtily erect at the familiar act, and, turning, faced, with a stare of well-assumed surprise, the man who had presumed thus to detain him.
“Well, sir; what is it? What can I do for you?” he coldly inquired, but with an air of high-bred courtesy which had become habitual with him since he had known “better days.”
“Ha! ha!” ejaculated the individual whom he had addressed, and with an air of scornful amusement, “you do the high-and-mighty very well, but do you imagine for a moment that I don’t know you, Bill——”
But a hand was laid over his mouth before he could pronounce the name he was about to voice, and it was instantly smothered in indistinct muttering that made it unintelligible.