“Suppose we didn’t have time to get married here?” he added, an afterthought striking him.

“If we got married as soon as we got to the other end of the journey it would be all right.”

“I meant that,” he said.

“Yes.”

The morning seemed peculiarly bright to him now.  He wondered whatever could have put such a thought into his head.  Impossible as it was, he could not help smiling at its cleverness.  It showed how she loved him.  There was no doubt in his mind now, and he would find a way to win her.

“Well,” he said, jokingly, “I’ll come and get you one of these evenings,” and then he laughed.

“I wouldn’t stay with you, though, if you didn’t marry me,” Carrie added reflectively.

“I don’t want you to,” he said tenderly, taking her hand.

She was extremely happy now that she understood.  She loved him the more for thinking that he would rescue her so.  As for him, the marriage clause did not dwell in his mind.  He was thinking that with such affection there could be no bar to his eventual happiness.

“Let’s stroll about,” he said gaily, rising and surveying all the lovely park.

“All right,” said Carrie.

They passed the young Irishman, who looked after them with envious eyes.

“’Tis a foine couple,” he observed to himself.  “They must be rich.”

Chapter XVI A WITLESS ALADDIN—­THE GATE TO THE WORLD

In the course of his present stay in Chicago, Drouet paid some slight attention to the secret order to which he belonged.  During his last trip he had received a new light on its importance.

“I tell you,” said another drummer to him, “it’s a great thing.  Look at Hazenstab.  He isn’t so deuced clever.  Of course he’s got a good house behind him, but that won’t do alone.  I tell you it’s his degree.  He’s a way-up Mason, and that goes a long way.  He’s got a secret sign that stands for something.”

Drouet resolved then and there that he would take more interest in such matters.  So when he got back to Chicago he repaired to his local lodge headquarters.

“I say, Drouet,” said Mr. Harry Quincel, an individual who was very prominent in this local branch of the Elks, “you’re the man that can help us out.”

It was after the business meeting and things were going socially with a hum.  Drouet was bobbing around chatting and joking with a score of individuals whom he knew.

“What are you up to?” he inquired genially, turning a smiling face upon his secret brother.

“We’re trying to get up some theatricals for two weeks from today, and we want to know if you don’t know some young lady who could take a part—­it’s an easy part.”

“Sure,” said Drouet, “what is it?” He did not trouble to remember that he knew no one to whom he could appeal on this score.  His innate good-nature, however, dictated a favorable reply.