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never leave. I was looking at that beach-comber last night. Shouldn’t be surprised if he were the happiest man among us.”

“Going primitive, eh?” Martino smiled. “I suppose it’s the influence of that part you played down in Tahiti.”

“It’s the thought of Hollywood,” responded Van Horn. “Of all the artificial places I’ve seen, that town wins the embossed medallion.”

“Spoken like a true Californian,” remarked Jimmy Bradshaw, entering with Julie. “Would you mind if I quoted you on that? Famous picture actor prefers Honolulu’s simple ways to the fevered swank of the film colony.”

“You do,” returned Van Horn grimly, “and I'll deny I ever said it.”

“Alas!” grinned Bradshaw. “All the movie actors’ best lines have to be left out of their interviews.”

Wilkie Ballou and his wife came in. The former wore a linen suit, with white shoes, and Charlie was troubled. If Ballou took the chair that was waiting for some one in the dining-room, then his case might be far from proof even now.

“What's it all about?” Ballou demanded. “I was going to bed early to-night.”

“Poor old Wilkie can’t stand excitement,” Rita remarked. “As for me, I love it. Hello, Diana,—what have you been doing to-day?”

The curtain parted, and Tarneverro stepped noiselessly into the room. He stood for a moment, staring about, a rather worried look in his dark eyes.

“Ah, yes,” he said. “We're all here, aren’t we?”

Jaynes got slowly to his feet, walked over and prof-