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argued； the dishonor in knowledge so obtained would lie only in
the use he made of it。 If he used it without harm to him from
whom it was obtained and with benefit to others； was he not
justified in trading on his superior equipment？ He decided that
each case must be considered separately in accordance with the
principle involved。 But； principle or no principle； he was
determined to become rich。 Did not the end justify the means？
Certainly an all…wise Providence had not brought Helen Carey into
his life only to take her away from him。 It could not be so
cruel。 But； in selecting them for one another； the all…wise
Providence had overlooked the fact that she was rich and he was
poor。 For that oversight Providence apparently was now
endeavoring to make amends。 In what certainly was a fantastic and
roundabout manner Providence had tardily equipped him with a gift
that could lead to great wealth。 And who was he to fly in the
face of Providence？ He decided to set about building up a
fortune； and building it in a hurry。
From Bruton Street he had emerged upon Berkeley Square； and； as
Lady Woodcote had invited him to meet Helen at luncheon at the
Ritz； he turned in that direction。 He was too early for luncheon；
but in the corridor of the Ritz he knew he would find persons of
position and fortune； and in reading their minds he might pass
the time before luncheon with entertainment； possibly with
profit。 For； while pacing Bruton Street trying to discover the
principles of conduct that threatened to hamper his new power； he
had found that in actual operation it was quite simple。 He
learned that his mind； in relation to other minds； was like the
receiver of a wireless station with an unlimited field。 For；
while the wireless could receive messages only from those
instruments with which it was attuned； his mind was in key with
all other minds。 To read the thoughts of another； he had only to
concentrate his own upon that person； and to shut off the
thoughts of that person； he had only to turn his own thoughts
elsewhere。 But also he discovered that over the thoughts of those
outside the range of his physical sight he had no control。 When
he asked of what Helen Carey was at that moment thinking； there
was no result。 But when he asked； 〃Of what is that policeman on
the corner thinking？〃 he was surprised to find that that officer
of the law was formulating regulations to abolish the hobble
skirt as an impediment to traffic。
As Philip turned into Berkeley Square； the accents of a mind in
great distress smote upon his new and sixth sense。 And； in the
person of a young gentleman leaning against the park railing； he
discovered the source from which the mental sufferings emanated。
The young man was a pink…cheeked； yellow…haired youth of
extremely boyish appearance； and dressed as if for the
race…track。 But at the moment his pink and babyish face wore an
expression of complete misery。 With tear…filled eyes he was
gazing at a house of yellow stucco on the opposite side of the
street。 And his thoughts were these： 〃She is the best that ever
lived； and I am the most ungrateful of fools。 How happy were we
in the house of yellow stucco！ Only now； when she has closed its
doors to me； do I know how happy！ If she would give me another
chance； never again would I distress or deceive her。〃
So far had the young man progressed in his thoughts when an
automobile of surprising smartness swept around the corner and
drew up in front of the house of yellow stucco； and from it
descended a charming young person。 She was of the Dresden…
shepherdess type； with large blue eyes of haunting beauty and
innocence。
〃My wife！〃 exclaimed the blond youth at the railings。 And
instantly he dodged behind a horse that； while still attached to
a four…wheeler； was contentedly eating from a nose…bag。
With a key the Dresden shepherdess opened the door to the yellow
house and disappeared。
The calling of the reporter trains him in audacity； and to act
quickly。 He shares the troubles of so many people that to the
troubles of other people he becomes callous； and often will rush
in where friends of the family fear to tread。 Although Philip was
not now acting as a reporter； he acted quickly。 Hardly had the
door closed upon the young lady than he had mounted the steps and
rung the visitor's bell。 As he did so； he could not resist
casting a triumphant glance in the direction of the outlawed
husband。 And； in turn； what the outcast husband； peering from
across the back of the cab horse； thought of Philip； of his
clothes； of his general appearance； and of the manner in which he
would delight to alter all of them； was quickly communicated to
the American。 They were thoughts of a nature so violent and
uncomplimentary that Philip hastily cut off all connection。
As Philip did not know the name of the Dresden…china doll； it was
fortunate that on opening the door； the butler promptly
announced：
〃Her ladyship is not receiving。〃
〃Her ladyship will； I think； receive me；〃 said Philip pleasantly；
〃when you tell her I come as the special ambassador of his
lordship。〃
From a tiny reception…room on the right of the entrance…hall
there issued a feminine exclamation of surprise； not unmixed with
joy； and in the hall the noble lady instantly appeared。
When she saw herself confronted by a stranger； she halted in
embarrassment。 But as； even while she halted； her only thought
had been； 〃Oh！ if he will only ask me to forgive him！〃 Philip
felt no embarrassment whatsoever。 Outside； concealed behind a cab
horse； was the erring but bitterly repentant husband； inside； her
tenderest thoughts racing tumultuously toward him； was an unhappy
child…wife begging to be begged to pardon。
For a New York reporter； and a Harvard graduate of charm and good
manners； it was too easy。
〃I do not know you；〃 said her ladyship。 But even as she spoke she
motioned to the butler to go away。 〃You must be one of his new
friends。〃 Her tone was one of envy。
〃Indeed； I am his newest friend；〃 Philip assured her； 〃but I can
safely say no one knows his thoughts as well as I。 And they are
all of you！〃
The china shepherdess blushed with happiness； but instantly she
shook her head。
〃They tell me I must not believe him；〃 she announced。 〃They tell
me〃
〃Never mind what they tell you；〃 commanded Philip。 〃Listen to ME。
He loves you。 Better than ever before； he loves you。 All he asks
is the chance to tell you so。 You cannot help but believe him。
Who can look at you； and not believe that he loves you！ Let me；〃
he begged； 〃bring him to you。〃 He started from her when；
remembering the somewhat violent thoughts of the youthful
husband； he added hastily： 〃Or perhaps it would be better if you
called him yourself。〃
〃Called him！〃 exclaimed the lady。 〃He is in Paris…at the
raceswith her！〃
〃If they tell you that sort of thing；〃 protested Philip
indignantly； 〃you must listen to me。 He is not in Paris。 He is
not with her。 There never was a her！〃
He drew aside the lace curtains and pointed。 〃He is there
behind that ancient cab horse； praying that you will let him tell
you that not only did he never do it； but； what is much more
important； he will never do it again。〃
The lady herself now timidly drew the curtains apart； and then
more boldly showed herself upon the iron balcony。 Leaning over
the scarlet geraniums； she beckoned with both hands。 The result
was instantaneous。 Philip bolted for the front door； leaving it
open； and； as he darted down the steps； the youthful husband； in
strides resembling those of an ostrich； shot past him。 Philip did
not cease running until he was well out of Berkeley Square。 Then；
not ill…pleased with the adventure； he turned and smiled back at
the house of yellow stucco。
〃Bless you； my children；〃 he murmured； 〃bless you！〃
He continued to the Ritz； and； on crossing Piccadilly to the
quieter entrance to the hotel in Arlington Street； found gathered
around it a considerable crowd drawn up on either side of a red
carpet that stretched down the steps of the hotel to a court
carriage。 A red carpet in June； when all is dry under foot and
the sun is shining gently； can mean only royalty