“What’s happened, Jonas?”

“You and the boss must have quarreled last night.  When anything strikes the boss deep, he wants to gamble.  Of late years he’s mostly fought it off, but once in a while it gets him.  He’s been at it since last night over yonder, and for the first time in years I can’t do anything with him.  And if it gets out, you know, Miss Allen, he’s ruined.  I don’t dast to leave him long, that’s why I got you to come here.”

Diana’s chin lifted.  “Do you mean to tell me that a man of Mr. Huntingdon’s reputation and ability, still stoops to that sort of thing?”

“Stoop!  What do you mean, stoop?  O Lord, I thought, seeing he sets the world by you, that you was different from the run of women and would understand.”  Jonas twisted his brown hands together.

“Understand what?” asked Diana, her great eyes fastened on Jonas with pity and scorn struggling in them.

“Understand what it means to him.  How it’s like a conjur that Luigi wished on him when he was a little boy.  How he’s pulled himself away from it and he didn’t have anybody on earth to help him till I come along.  What do you women folks know about how a strong man like him fights Satan?  I’ve seen him walk the floor all night and win, and I’ve seen him after he’s given in, suffer sorrow and hate of himself like a man the Almighty’s forgot.  That’s why he’s so good, because he sins and then suffers for it.”

As Jonas’ husky voice subsided, a sudden gleam of tears shone in Diana’s eyes.

“I’ll send him a note, Jonas, and wait here for the answer.  If that doesn’t bring him, I’ll go after him myself.”

“The note’ll bring him,” said Jonas, “and he’ll give me thunder for telling.”

“Let me have a pencil and get me some paper from the news-stand.”  She wrote rapidly.

“Dear Mr. Huntingdon: 

“I must see you at once on urgent business.  I am in the railway station.  Could you come to me here?

“Diana Allen.”

Jonas all but snatched the note and dashed away.  Enoch was scowling at the cards before him when Jonas thrust the note into his hand.  Enoch stared at the address, laid the cards down slowly, and read the note.

“All right, gentlemen,” he said quietly.  “I’ve had my fun!  Good night!” He took his hat from Jonas and strode out of the room.  He did not speak as the two walked rapidly to the station.  Diana was standing by a cab near the main entrance.

“This is good of you, Mr. Huntingdon,” she said gravely, shaking hands.  “Thank you, Jonas!” She entered the cab and Enoch followed her.

“Let me have your suitcase check, boss.”  Jonas held out a black hand that still shook a little.

“I’ll get Miss Allen to drop me at the house, Jonas,” said Enoch.

Jonas nodded and heaved a great sigh as the cab started off.

“How did you come to do it?” asked Enoch, looking strangely at Diana.