"Such bad luck! Of course, one guessed he'd be dining out. But they don't know where. At one of his clubs, they think, and he may have gone on to the opera. Still, they can't say. They only know that he may return at any time from now on until after midnight."
Endor smiled rather sadly. "Never mind. Let us accept the omen. There can be no contending with Destiny."
"On the contrary," she said bravely, fighting his fatalism, "I have fully made up my mind to hunt down the Chief in the next two hours—wherever he is to be found. Only he can stop the Planet and the U. P."
"He may decline to do so—even if you run him to earth."
"But why in the world should you think that?" Her voice was full of challenge. "An honest man is bound—is simply bound—to stop them."
"I agree," said Endor, abstractedly. "I humbly beg the pardon of the Colossus."
"Please beg mine—for thinking—thinking—thinking!"
He kissed her hand. "I'm hardly myself to-night," he said.
"You've had a really tiresome day," she said, gently; "what with a journey to Blackhampton and back again—not to mention the luncheon, the presentation, and now this horrid affair! You look quite worn out."
Recognizing that he must pull himself together, he
