Chapter XI
Mr. Penway on the Grill
Fate moves in a mysterious way. Luck comes hand in hand with
misfortune. What we lose on the swings we make up on the roundabouts.
If Keggs had not seen twenty-five of his hard-earned dollars pass at
one swoop into the clutches of the _croupier_ at the apparently
untenanted house on Forty-First Street, and become disgusted with the
pleasing game of roulette, he might have delayed his return to the
house on Fifth Avenue till a later hour; in which case he would have
missed the remarkable and stimulating spectacle of Kirk driving to the
door in an automobile with Mamie at his side; of Mamie, jumping out and
entering the house; of Mamie leaving the house with a suit-case; of
Kirk helping her into the automobile, and of the automobile
disappearing with its interesting occupants up the avenue at a high
rate of speed.
Having lost his money, as stated, and having returned home, he was
enabled to be a witness, the only witness, of these notable events, and
his breast was filled with a calm joy in consequence. This was
something special. This was exclusive, a scoop. He looked forward to
the return of Mrs. Porter with an eagerness which, earlier in the day,
he would have considered impossible. Somehow Ruth did not figure in his
picture of the delivery of the sensational news that Mr.
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