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           TheywalkedbacktowardBeaconStreet,andneartheclubArchercaughtsightoftheplush-lined"herdic"whichhadcarriedhisnotetotheParkerHouse,andwhosedriverwasreposingfromthiseffortbybathinghisbrowatthecornerhydrant."Itoldyoueverythingwaspredestined!Here’sacabforus.Yousee!"Theylaughed,astonishedatthemiracleofpickingupapublicconveyanceatthathour,andinthatunlikelyspot,inacitywherecab-standswerestilla"foreign"novelty.Archer,lookingathiswatch,sawthattherewastimetodrivetotheParkerHousebeforegoingtothesteamboatlanding.Theyrattledthroughthehotstreetsanddrewupatthedoorofthehotel.Archerheldouthishandfortheletter."ShallItakeitin?"heasked;butMadameOlenska,shakingherhead,sprangoutanddisappearedthroughtheglazeddoors.Itwasbarelyhalf-pastten;butwhatiftheemissary,impatientforherreply,andnotknowinghowelsetoemployhistime,werealreadyseatedamongthetravellerswithcoolingdrinksattheirelbowsofwhomArcherhadcaughtaglimpseasshewentin?Hewaited,pacingupanddownbeforetheherdic.ASicilianyouthwitheyeslikeNastasia’sofferedtoshinehisboots,andanIrishmatrontosellhimpeaches;andeveryfewmomentsthedoorsopenedtoletouthotmenwithstrawhatstiltedfarback,whoglancedathimastheywentby.