“Four hundred thousand,” said Dawe.  “Whereas it should have been boosted to a million.”

“You said something to me just now about demonstrating your pet theory.”

“I will.  If you’ll give me about half an hour of your time I’ll prove to you that I am right.  I’ll prove it by Louise.”

“Your wife!” exclaimed Westbrook.  “How?”

“Well, not exactly by her, but with her,” said Dawe.  “Now, you know how devoted and loving Louise has always been.  She thinks I’m the only genuine preparation on the market that bears the old doctor’s signature.  She’s been fonder and more faithful than ever, since I’ve been cast for the neglected genius part.”

“Indeed, she is a charming and admirable life companion,” agreed the editor.  “I remember what inseparable friends she and Mrs. Westbrook once were.  We are both lucky chaps, Shack, to have such wives.  You must bring Mrs. Dawe up some evening soon, and we’ll have one of those informal chafing-dish suppers that we used to enjoy so much.”

“Later,” said Dawe.  “When I get another shirt.  And now I’ll tell you my scheme.  When I was about to leave home after breakfast—­if you can call tea and oatmeal breakfast—­Louise told me she was going to visit her aunt in Eighty-ninth Street.  She said she would return at three o’clock.  She is always on time to a minute.  It is now—­”

Dawe glanced toward the editor’s watch pocket.

“Twenty-seven minutes to three,” said Westbrook, scanning his time-piece.

“We have just enough time,” said Dawe.  “We will go to my flat at once.  I will write a note, address it to her and leave it on the table where she will see it as she enters the door.  You and I will be in the dining-room concealed by the portieres.  In that note I’ll say that I have fled from her forever with an affinity who understands the needs of my artistic soul as she never did.  When she reads it we will observe her actions and hear her words.  Then we will know which theory is the correct one—­yours or mine.”

“Oh, never!” exclaimed the editor, shaking his head.  “That would be inexcusably cruel.  I could not consent to have Mrs. Dawe’s feelings played upon in such a manner.”

“Brace up,” said the writer.  “I guess I think as much of her as you do.  It’s for her benefit as well as mine.  I’ve got to get a market for my stories in some way.  It won’t hurt Louise.  She’s healthy and sound.  Her heart goes as strong as a ninety-eight-cent watch.  It’ll last for only a minute, and then I’ll step out and explain to her.  You really owe it to me to give me the chance, Westbrook.”

Editor Westbrook at length yielded, though but half willingly.  And in the half of him that consented lurked the vivisectionist that is in all of us.  Let him who has not used the scalpel rise and stand in his place.  Pity ’tis that there are not enough rabbits and guinea-pigs to go around.

The two experimenters in Art left the Square and hurried eastward and then to the south until they arrived in the Gramercy neighborhood.  Within its high iron railings the little park had put on its smart coat of vernal green, and was admiring itself in its fountain mirror.  Outside the railings the hollow square of crumbling houses, shells of a bygone gentry, leaned as if in ghostly gossip over the forgotten doings of the vanished quality. Sic transit gloria urbis.