198 THE LOG OF A TIMBER CRUISER 
‘‘T chanced to be in this part of the world yester- 
day,’’ he said, in a deep and resonant voice, ‘‘and 
hearing that you boys would be coming in from the 
wilds I just thought I’d run down and meet you all.’’ 
He paused, and that keen, searching eye swept us, 
one after the other. It was like a suction cleaner 
applied to the soul. 
He smiled, and went on: ‘‘I need not say that 
I am more than happy to meet my boy’s friends. 
And to have at the same time an opportunity of 
talking over some matters in regard to the Forest 
Service with your Supervisor—Mr. Johns, here. I 
hope to detain him some time longer on the same 
business. Afterward, I want you all to join me in 
a small supper that has been planned for this even- 
ing at Lin Foo’s, which I am informed is more 
generally known as ‘The Chink’s.? What do you 
say?’ 
We accepted, of course. Then we scattered, to 
bathe and dress. Some of us, too, had promised 
ourselves the luxury of a call or so before dinner 
time. 
At about five-thirty I cut short a wonderfully brief 
visit and started for the restaurant where Mr.. 
Wetherby’s affair was to take place. As I turned 
the corner of Bullard and Main I ran full into 
Horace and the pretty girl of the Diamond Bar ad- 
venture. 
They were walking quite close together, talking 
cosily and confidentially. My sudden appearance 
