Before the question was put Harrington had recognized in the speaker
the young man whose mission it had become, according to his shrewd
guess, to call him to account for his presence at the funeral. He had
exchanged his silk hat for a cap, and drawn on a white dust-coat over
his other sable garments, but his identity was unmistakable. Viewing
him close at hand Harrington perceived that he had large, clear eyes,
a smooth-shaven, humorous, determined mouth, and full ruddy cheeks,
the immobility of which suggested the habit of deliberation.
Physically and temperamentally he appeared to be the antipodes of the
reporter, who was thin, nervous, and wiry, with quick, snappy ways and
electric mental processes. It occurred to him now at once that the
offer concealed a trap, and he recalled, knowingly, the warning
contained in the classical adage concerning Greeks who bear gifts.
But, on the other hand, what had he to fear or to apologize for?
Besides, there was his boy Tesla to consider. How delighted the little
fellow, who already doted on electricity, would be to hear that his
father had ridden in a huge touring car! He would be glad, too, of the
experience himself, in order to compare the sensation with that of
travelling in the little puffing machines with which he was tolerably
familiar. Therefore he answered civilly, yet without enthusiasm:

"I don't mind if you do, as far as the station."

At his words the chauffeur at a sign made place for him, and he
stepped in beside his pseudo-enemy, who, as he turned on the power,
met Harrington's limitation as to distance with the remark:

"I'm going all the way to New York, if you care to go with me."

Harrington was tempted again. Apart from the peculiar circumstances of