Riverside Drive slept. The moon shone on darkened windows anddeserted sidewalks. It was past one o'clock in the morning. Thewicked Forties were still ablaze with light and noisy foxtrots;but in the virtuous Hundreds, where Mr. Pett's house stood,respectable slumber reigned. Only the occasional drone of apassing automobile broke the silence, or the love-sick cry ofsome feline Romeo patrolling a wall-top.

　　Jimmy was awake. He was sitting on the edge of his bed watchinghis father put the finishing touches to his make-up, which was ofa shaggy and intimidating nature. The elder Crocker had conceivedthe outward aspect of Chicago Ed., King of the Kidnappers, onbroad and impressive lines, and one glance would have been enoughto tell the sagacious observer that here was no white-souledcomrade for a nocturnal saunter down lonely lanes andout-of-the-way alleys.

　　Mr. Crocker seemed to feel this himself.

　　"The only trouble is, Jim," he said, peering at himself in theglass, "shan't I scare the boy to death directly he sees me?

　　Oughtn't I to give him some sort of warning?""How? Do you suggest sending him a formal note?"Mr. Crocker surveyed his repellent features doubtfully.

　　"It's a good deal to spring on a kid at one in the morning," hesaid. "Suppose he has a fit!""He's far more likely to give you one. Don't you worry aboutOgden, dad. I shouldn't think there was a child alive more equalto handling such a situation."There was an empty glass standing on a tray on thedressing-table. Mr. Crocker eyed this sadly.

　　"I wish you hadn't thrown that stuff away, Jim. I could have donewith it. I'm feeling nervous.""Nonsense, dad! You're all right! I had to throw it away. I'm onthe wagon now, but how long I should have stayed on with thatsmiling up at me I don't know. I've made up my mind never tolower myself to the level of the beasts that perish with thedemon Rum again, because my future wife has strong views on thesubject: but there's no sense in taking chances. Temptation isall very well, but you don't need it on your dressing-table. Itwas a kindly thought of yours to place it there, dad, but--""Eh? I didn't put it there.""I thought that sort of thing came in your department. Isn't itthe butler's job to supply drinks to the nobility and gentry?

　　Well, it doesn't matter. It is now distributed over theneighbouring soil, thus removing a powerful temptation from yourpath. You're better without it." He looked at his watch. "Well,it ought to be all right now." He went to the window. "There's anautomobile down there. I suppose it's Jerry. I told him to beoutside at one sharp and it's nearly half-past. I think you mightbe starting, dad. Oh, by the way, you had better tell Ogden thatyou represent a gentleman of the name of Buck Maginnis. It wasBuck who got away with him last time, and a firm friendship seemsto-have sprung up between them. There's nothing like coming witha good introduction."Mr. Crocker took a final survey of himself in the mirror.