Under separate cover they were mailing a contract which would effectually forestall such overtures, and they were relying upon him to see that she signed up with the Great Western as per contract.

Finally, it was suggested, since Mr.Dewitt chose always to suggest rather than to command, that Robert Grant Burns consider the matter of writing a series of short stories having some connecting thread of plot and featuring this Miss Douglas.

(This, by the way, was the beginning of the serial form of motion-picture plays which has since become so popular.) Robert Grant Burns read that letter through slowly, and then sat down heavily in an old arm-chair in the hotel office, lighted one of his favorite fat, black cigars, and mouthed it absently, while he read the letter through again.

He said "John Jimpson!" just above a whisper.

He held the letter in his two hands and regarded it strangely.