For, shaking him with the embrace of a playful bear, was his old friend McLane Woods--his chum at Princeton.
Dazed, and not daring to look up, the entangled man made a wild, imploring gesture to the porter The latter caught it, stepped forward and placed the note in the girl's hands.
"In case I am held up, go to the Astor.

Will follow," were the words she read quickly.

With ready wit and only one stealthy glance at the two men, Grace speedily followed in the wake of the too obsequious porter, who placed her in a cab.
"To the Astor!" was the transferred instruction.

The cabman, quick to note the ambiguity in the direction given, prepared, with the subtlety of his kind, for a long drive downtown.
However, the little comedy had not quite escaped attention.

There was a note of banter in the strident voice that again addressed Hugh, the speaker accompanying it with a resounding slap on the back.
"Congratulations in order, old man?
Come--you're caught--own up! Who is she ?" This with a crony-like dig in the ribs.