then told me for the first time that he had, from some source, funds equivalent to twenty-five dollars a month for my board, and that he would allow me fifteen of that, keeping ten dollars a month for his services as agent.  You follow all this perfectly?  So matters went along for ten years, Tim bringing me the fifteen dollars every month and coming frequently to see me in between, often bringing along his brother Murphy, who is a yeggman.  Last fall came this letter, purporting to be from my father.  Absurd as it appeared to me, I decided to come.  Tim said that, in that case, he would be compelled to cut off the allowance entirely.  Nevertheless, I came.”

Sharlee had listened to this autobiographical sketch with close and sympathetic attention.  “And now that you are here—­and settled—­haven’t you decided to do something—?”

He leaned back in his swivel chair and stared at her.  “Do something!  Haven’t I done all that he asked?  Haven’t I given up fifteen dollars a month for him?  Decidedly, the next move is his.”

“But if you meant to take no steps when you got here, why did you come?”

“To give him his chance, of course.  One city is exactly like another to me.  All that I ask of any of them is a table and silence.  Apart from the forfeiture of my income, living here and living there are all one.  Do!  You talk of it glibly enough, but what is there to do?  There are no Queeds in this city.  I looked in the directory this morning.  In all probability that is not his name anyway.  Kindly bear in mind that I have not the smallest clue to proceed upon, even had I the time and willingness to proceed upon it.”

“I am obliged to agree with you,” she said, “in thinking that your—­”

“Besides,” continued Doctor Queed, “what reason have I for thinking that he expects or desires me to track him down?  For all that he says here, that may be the last thing in the world he wishes.”

Sharlee, turning toward him, her chin in her white-gloved hand, looked at him earnestly.

“Do you care to have me discuss it with you?”

“Oh, yes, I have invited an expression of opinion from you.”

“Then I agree with you in thinking that your father is not treating you fairly.  His attitude toward you is extraordinary, to say the least of it.  But of course there must be some good reason for this.  Has it occurred to you that he may be in some—­situation where it is not possible for him to reveal himself to you?”

“Such as what?”

“Well, I don’t know—­”

“Why doesn’t he say so plainly in his letters then?”

“I don’t know.”

The young man threw out his hands with a gesture which inquired what in the mischief she was talking about then.

“Here is another thought,” said Sharlee, not at all disconcerted.  “Have you considered that possibly he may be doing this way—­as a test?”

“Test of what?”