the city council will not renew it. Get me?"

"Yes, sir."

"I'll be back Sunday forenoon. Good-bye."

He hung up, went to his chauffeur's quarters over the garage, and
routed the man out of bed. Then he returned quietly to his room,
dressed and packed a bag for his journey, left a brief note for
Shirley notifying her of his departure, and started on his two-
hundred-and-fifty mile trip over the mountains to the south. As his
car sped through sleeping Sequoia and gained the open country, the
Colonel's heart thrilled pleasurably. He held cards and spades, big
and little casino, four aces and the joker; therefore he knew he
could sweep the board at his pleasure. And during his absence Shirley
would have opportunity to cool off, while he would find time to
formulate an argument to lull her suspicions upon his return.




CHAPTER XXXIII


Quite oblivious of her uncle's departure for San Francisco, Shirley
lay awake throughout the remainder of the night, turning over and
over in her mind the various aspects of the Cardigan-Fennington
imbroglio. Of one thing she was quite certain; peace must be declared
at all hazards. She had been obsessed of a desire, rather unusual in
her sex, to see a fight worth while; she had planned to permit it to