Part 12 (1/2)

”Quite right, Professor,” Quest a.s.sured him. ”They know well enough downstairs that I am always at liberty to you. Come in.”

”I am so anxious to learn,” the Professor continued eagerly, ”whether there is any news--of my skeleton.”

”Not yet, Professor, I am sorry to say,” Quest replied. ”Come in and shut the door.”

The Professor was obviously struggling with his disappointment. He did not, however, at once close the door.

”There is a young lady here,” he said, ”who caught me up upon the landing.

She, too, I believe, wishes to see you. My manners suffered, I fear, from my eagerness to hear from your own lips if there was anything fresh. I should have allowed her to precede me.”

He threw open the door and stood on one side. A young woman came a little hesitatingly into the room. Her hair was plainly brushed back, and she wore the severe dress of the Salvation Army. Nothing, however, could conceal the fact that she was a remarkably sweet and attractive-looking young person.

”Want to see me, young lady?” Quest asked.

She held out a book.

”My name is Miss Quigg,” she said. ”I want to ask you for a subscription to our funds.”

Quest frowned a little.

”I don't care about this house-to-house visitation,” he remarked.

”It is only once a year that we come,” the girl pleaded, ”and we only go to people who we know can afford to help us, and who we believe can appreciate our work. You know so much of the darker side of New York, Mr.

Quest. Wherever you go you must find signs of our labours. Even if I put on one side, for a moment, the bare religious question, think how much we do for the good and the welfare of the poor people.”

Quest nodded.

”That's all right,” he admitted. ”You reach the outcasts all right.

There's many a one you save whom you had better leave to die, but here and there, no doubt, you set one of them on their legs again who's had bad luck. Very well, Miss Quigg. You shall have a donation. I am busy to-day, but call at the same hour to-morrow and my secretary here shall have a cheque ready for you.”

The girl smiled her grat.i.tude.

”You are very kind indeed, Mr. Quest,” she said simply. ”I will be here.”

The Professor laid his hand upon her arm as she pa.s.sed. He had been watching her with curious intentness.

”Young lady,” he observed, ”you seem very much in earnest about your work.”

”It is only the people in earnest, sir,” she answered, ”who can do any good in the world. My work is worth being in earnest about.”

”Will you forgive an old man's question?” the Professor continued. ”I am one of the men of the world who are in earnest. My life is dedicated to science. Science is at once my religion and my life. It seems to me that you and I have something in common. You, too, move in the unusual ways.

Your life is dedicated to doing good amongst the unworthy of your s.e.x.

Whether my brain approves of your efforts or not, you compel my admiration--my most respectful admiration. May I, too, be permitted?”

He drew out a pocket-book and pa.s.sed over towards her a little wad of notes. She took them without a moment's hesitation. Her eyes, as she thanked him, were filled with grat.i.tude.

”It is so kind of you,” she murmured. ”We never have any hesitation in accepting money. May I know your name?”

”It is not necessary,” the Professor answered. ”You can enter me,” he added, as he held open the door for her, ”as a friend--or would you prefer a pseudonym?”