or two, and signed his name. Then he restored its cork to his bottle of ink, blotted the lines he had written, and, gathering the flimsy pages int

eden will be none the wiser, let us forge

R T

rendered, from a sense of duty, I am making this one with a sense of relief-a somewhat scandalous admis

must withdraw anything which I have written to you in disparagement of my late master. The poor man had worries I did not know of, and

ing with my dog at a little inn where no ways met.

are times when I go powdered. I have even hobnobbed with the scar

et Fresne, however, a gilded youth with three thousand a year, finds me extremely useful. I bet for him, I make appointments for him to have his hair trimmed, I retain stalls for him, and occasionally I admit him to the house at an unlawful hour. In fact, he is a co

ne day, "you're a ge

easiest to

ays his

mily faili

! You mean,

lord. We neve

sort of thing. Hullo!" He peers into a gold cigarett

to him five minutes before, his ejaculation was not in the best of taste

ard up, are y

y my way,

s all right. I remember I put it in my coat. Which reminds me-I want a coup

, my lord. It used

ies he. "I thought

e gallery,

Lyveden, but you can go to the gallery i

ke my

o your lordship, bu

ill-concealed relief. "Do

nd when I was at Harrow, his eldest bro

understand. He is a monument, massive, meaningless, and about as useful as a fan in a c

the cassock of the confesso

. And when next I looked, lo! there was the picture, all warm and smiling, her little white hands about her dark, dark hair. I was overwhelmed. I would have slain dragons, levelled castles, broken the backs of knights for her sake. But before I was given the chance, I was given the shoulder.

ndeed, I soon had no alternative but to repeat myself, thu

j'en

a confidant. Already that impression of you is fainter than it was when I picked up my pen. A reply from you, Toby, would do

beau, ANTHO

ich was not quite so good as one which, once upon a time, his servant had purchased in Port Said for fi

er conducting them to the first floor, ushered "The Honourable Mrs. George Wrangle, Miss Wrangle, Miss Sarah Wrangle" into the presence itself.

f precedence. That of Mrs. Wrangle, apparently, fell dismally short of the standard which the great man imposed, for, upon hearing her name, he stared indi

the pantry. Five minutes later he an

et in?" said t

my lady," s

m to come

ood, my

ty, and was preparing to attend a thé dansant. His

I'm out,

y hesi

was very defin

ear what

ood, my

y obvious. Also the faces of Mrs. and Miss Wrangle fell noticeably. Indeed, the b

om the library, cramming cigarettes into his case wit

ter was no

d for immediate and appropriate action. Between the two stools her display of emotion fell flat. As for Pomfret, the knowledge that he had just induced the lady's fo

th precipitate irrelevance in the direction of the back stairs, leaving Mrs. Wrangle speechless with indignation and bitterly repenting her recent indecisi

at gentleman's successful return from the mission upon which he had been dispatched, it required their u

laint, however, was

re, when she sent him for anyone, he would be good enough to look for them before returning to say they were out. The second was that when he was told to fetch a cab, he would be good enough to do so, instead of p

*

in fact, Anthony's country house. Here for one glorious week the two had shared the same bed. Heaven only knew when such a prolonged visit would be repeated. It had cost two whole pounds, and, do what he would, Anthony could save very little out of

den thought upon these things. The

thinning the mud upon brown lanes, poppling upon the washed highway. Dainty scale-armour of

Bradshaw under the bereaved corner, but the piece listed heavily. The Bradshaw, by the way, was out of date. In fact, its value as a guide to intending passengers had expired on the thirty-first of October, 1902. That looked as if the chest were an antique. Three of the china knobs, however, which served as handles were unhappily missing. Then there was a flap beneath the window which, when raised, arrested the progress of such smuts as failed to clear it in their descent to the boards. (Melancholy smothered a laugh and laid a wet cheek against her victim's.) The smuts were devilish-the terror by night, the arrow that flieth by day.

soling lips.... The entrance of Polichinelle, however, cudgel and all, in the shape of a little white dog, dragging a bough

e fled wit

of Frolic itself. And, whiles they strove, Harlequin danced in and out the trees, with magic touch of bat making the mizzle shimmer and the meadows gleam, and finally, with rare ex

their way to the i

bold to decide that she was interested in him. That such interest sprang from the loins of

shaken his head with a smile. His heart had leaped, and there was an end of it. He just knew. In view of the prospective failure of so many Archangels, it is not surprising that my lady herself, whatever she did, would not be able to erase this impression. Consequently though she had behaved to his face with a manner which it was a Quixotic courtesy to style "disda

drank to thei

e terrier and set

it, my boy. She didn't like it at all. So remember, if ever we meet her again, you mustn't fight. I don't want to be hard on you, but you mustn't. Of course, if you could show him a little courtesy-indicate a scent which will repay investigation, or

ins that when, upon entering the grounds of the Dogs' Home some thirty-five minutes later, he encountered that very Irish terrier, looking rather sorry for h

hardly belie

d was a kennelman, who spok

o 'im. 'E's not very grand-this little dog ain't. I thin

his sight his master could do no wrong; otherwise it is possible that h

usly. With Patch under his arm, he spoke to

ize-an Irish terrier. He's not very well

rench-Miss Valerie French. He'

en, as they say, "very quick in the uptake." The truth was that less than a week ago Miss

nthony. "Does she keep

," said the girl. "I

ery oft

ny no

must have

ch of Patch and

Next Saturday. Only a week from

a last caress, smiled at the puzz

about these partings. Th

s way to the station, Valerie French, who was to dine early and go to

f powder-blue; an old rose fabric covered what seats there were; an apple-green coverlet filled up the symphony. That taper elegance which modern craftsmanship can give mahogany was most apparent, lending

r was fair, s

thoughts were otherwise occupied. Indeed, the fixing of her hair-usually so simple a matter-was making her knit her brow. The fact that the soft d

igh, she brought he

uth at the reflect

his Sealyha

*

et suggested to Lyveden the propriety of

ip moodily. "But he'll probably start at twenty, so I m

my lord,"

requisite degree of lustre. He had had to remove an apron, turn down his sleeves, and put on his plum-coloured coat. S

ette case. Then he plucked out a ten-shillin

he said sulkily. "I'll have t

braced

ven't any money

looked u

Oh, nonsens

d not to lend to Lord Pomfret. That the loan would lose itself was much too prob

't like parting." Lord Pomfret laughed rather nasti

the money

ed at Anthony

hell!" he s

d it beside his lordship. Then he le

e cold fact that in due season-to be precise, at eleven minutes to four that same afternoon-Slip Along won

ing that, so recently as that morning, he had reluctantly decided that that toothsome entremet must be allowed to go unmolested for at least a w

footman called Anthony,

door stood wide open, and a fresh cool breeze came floating into the mansion, to flirt with the high and mighty curtains upon the landing, jostle the stately palms, and ruffle u

"'A. Lyveden, Esquire,' it says, all bald-like. No C.M.G

came g

ho's Who's out o

r shook

id sorrowfully, turning to resume the sor

ertfordshire, and proved to be a communication

R S

. There is at present no reason to think that he will be seriously i

fait

DAW

u

a death-warrant. It must be remembered th

missive upon the top of his mistress's letters and fell to whistling softly between his teet

he said eagerly. "

e sheet and put a

id. "He's down in the countr

ked at him cu

itten with one eye. Thort the world o' that cat, she did. 'Adn't got no use fer dolls nor nothin'. 'Moses,' she called it. One day a bull-terrier does it in." He paused dramatica

at politeness he could, hoping desperate

girl," he s

rright, mate. Same as

the gesture of one who

ad yet. Don't you meet

t good

had sent a telegram, asking to be informed daily of his dog's progress, and advised by wire or t

pied, partly because he had but two eyes-failed to observe. This was a pity, for while it was not a pretty habit, it happened to concern Anthony pretty

hat a cat may loo

y Lyveden, it is safe to predict not only that the animal would be afforded no further opportunity of inspec

*

so discomfited Anthon

one at least of wh

ph Bumbl

Shru

tho

R V

José? And if a parlour-maid can keep one, d'autant plus a footman. Pending the dismissal of the colleague referred to, Anne and I have to do more than we should, and are a little bo

m us all

being opened, was found to contain three other envelopes, each

pened the

pplications for the pos

by Lyveden, Valerie tossed them aside unread. Then she

m she threatens to take from Anthony, who hath not, even that which he hath: with the other she is strewing blossoms u

r her heart had leaped, when she saw him, is not for me to say. She looked upon him, saw that he was good, made up her mind-and that was settled. The

the shadow of the little inn this tale would have come to an end. That it did not so end then and there is the fault partly of a crop of conventions, which have in so many years increased out of all belief and now stand brist

e difficulty was to make Anthony apply for the post. Since Mrs. Bumble could hardly be advised to ask a footman to quit the service of the Marque

e. After a little delay, she was connected to the Dogs' Ho

He was coughing a little. There was no real ca

this afternoon

s good as

nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, she vis

e to such uneasiness as presently decided the superintendent to telephone to his maste

we hate worrying people. But he's simply

rie slowly, "I think

iss French," said the gi

ital, through the garden, a

utes before she could

Banff's house?

ou?" said an un

speak to Mr

ho

Lyv

e to her ears.... Then an oath

ed with impati

said th

o Mr. Lyveden?

an't. He's

r important. Could yo

" said t

im that his dog

at

lyham. Mr. Lyvede

he voice. "And where

stared at the instrument. Then s

Lord Pomfret replaced his r

dent returned

ak to him?"

He was out. I had

rose to

submit to the paroxysm before he could wag his tail. How stiffly this moved, his mistress, whose eyes were full of tears, did not remark. Nor did

d turned to a grey-headed kennel-

ing to wash

, ma

as plainly pleased

he little

sick dog

e turn

nt escorted her

to-morrow morn

ll, Miss

e wondered miserably whether she was

*

ve telegraphed, but telegrams cost money, which he really could not afford, and he was, in any event, to visit the Dogs' Home that afterno

edly, glancing at the faces of

s going to change, Lord Pomfret sent for him. Anth

e interview w

urtly instructed the footman to expend

I shan't want them till to-morrow morning, so they've got to be fresh. You'd better

ood, my

al of La Vie, and Anthony stepped

aid his lord

my l

ant to see

ated, inwardl

my lord," he

ter he was out

door is opened, that grim guard Fate calls out a name, and one of us climbs pitifully forth, to pass with faltering steps into a sable hostelry. We that are left behind peer after him curiously.... Then th

u will see what is to become of Anthony: so

n through the Waters of Anger to where the white road curls over that grey upland, and we can see it no more. As

? We will descend there, by your leave, for the driver will pull up his horses and the coach will stop. A

round pace. In fact, he was somewhat out of breath when a maid admitted him to

de her appearance, his hea

tle dog?" he

l looke

y very strong, and we hope that'll pull him through. We

y dully. "When I did

get my telep

shook

id you

y-a man, and asked him to tell

went ver

y, and drew in a quick breath

girl led the way

tchman's chair. Half a dozen rooms led out of the hall. The girl went straight to the door of one of these, turned the handle gently, and the next moment they were in the li

uare basket set in a corner

Patc

ength failed him, and he fell sideways on to the pine shavings. L

id you think I'd forgotten my little dog? M

e got to his feet and coughed desperately. The exertion seemed to exhaust him, for, when the fit was ov

reappeared, followed by the grey-hea

o stay with him for a b

d her, and she

ake, Anthony

e half-past five, it is not surprising

come to mend the telephone, and his tool-bag was full of roses-the scent of them filled the room. Anthony himself was forging a two-pound note upon a page of Bradshaw, and was terribly afraid that it would not pass mu

ddenly, for

still, breathing mo

tip of a red tong

was so slight and fleeting that Anthony, after a little,

chair, where Patch could see it and so expec

lerie French lifted her eyes from T

said. "I think it's a mistake

r spoke constrainedly, is worthy of note. It is, in fact, the best p

, the great thing is to be on the spot. I

e look

han Patch," s

wfully

t in the drive a week ago. That, then, was how Patc

ooked up

ly rude at the inn that

rotten

veden quickly. "You were

ral times. But it won't wash. It w

ld have felt like a beggar whose feet a quee

never meant

hy

it wasn't

u know that?"

..." Anthony hesitated, and the colour came i

f she had received a reply

fond of your

all I'

't you a si

," said

rie rose to her feet. As she came to the window, s

ay that," she said gently. "N

veden stood gazing at the thresh

ry surgeon w

, he rose to his feet, and

ood patient, but I'm afraid he's in for a bad time." He tur

ave,

rom now on, he m

ave some b

t y

's questions, the su

from six to twelve hours. Then one of two things will bec

t my being

's a highly-strung little fellow, and in the circumstances I

ny. "I'll leave my hat here. Th

n't do bet

ly glad of an owner wh

d to touch the

stole ge

erhaps they would understand. Any way, it could not be helped. If he were to be dismissed, he would try again. Only the fear of unemployment had

up my lady

parently, were all the rage. Of course he was getting good wages. The substance might not

good wages: would be allowed to keep

the lines as if th

f a frock and herself s

t down the paper as if

of her terrier, nor di

st

her they left the veranda and passed through the pleasant grounds. "I've got a room in the v

make shift." He smiled. "

ou were back?"

chool has its drawback

dn't be stay

ut th

r?" said the girl, and could h

winced

said slowl

ught franti

suppose you have--your own chambers, your own servant. I live with an aunt. If I broke away and set up a sepa

to have stopped beati

t was plain that she d

him, then, that night w

t she would not-could n

r statement, he made so

. Look at her handiwork here. Jill knows Jack for a flunkey and seeks to dissemble her knowledge, for fear of bruising his he

friendship should have grown fat. Instead, it lost weight steadily. They were ill at

d of a neighbouring inn was persuaded to serve eggs and bacon. This he did with an ill grace, and, that there might be no mista

nda. The hours which should have been so wonderful went by l

as striking, Val

hony without a word. Desperately sorry for her, miserably fearfu

en there was movement in the chamber. A door was ope

appeared at the window,

steps, Anthony rose

back to the vil

inclined

e loomed up out of the darkness, blacker than night. A lane led down to the village, leaving the roa

teadily. "It was our last wa

burst i

r that had stood betw

ht at his shabby lapel and clung to it, sobbing piteo

Anthony talking as naturally as if she had b

, I know.... Everything you do, every way you turn, calls up some piteo

age and the door of the house

Anthony, and put he

k. For a second she he

ver and set her c

nstant she

*

orner of danger ju

illed his cup. The knowledge that Patch would live had set it brimming. He saw the dawn up and felt jubilant. He found new beauties of Nature at every step. His

f an old groom, and presently took a bath under a

Home, there was Valerie.

she said. Then her lip qui

elfishness. For as good cause to congrat

Town together by

hich she climbed into "a

Since it was Sunday morning, the station was qu

ch Lord Pomfret had told him to

hopelessness of their friendship stood out brutally. The thought that he was an impostor came peltin

nd told the driver to go to a house

mely, "I hope you'll

im curiously. Then

get your kindness,

y minutes later, opened

father's house, he saw

glared at him with th

ack, are you?

ouse, and Anthon

e roses." He held out the two poun

tched the notes

turned

d back. "What d'you mean, 'you forgot'? It's a lie. This is the

d, I te

dy to pitch a hell of a tale, but it's no good, Lyveden. D'you hear? It's no good. You see, I answered the telephone on Friday, when your lady-friend rang up about the dog.... I know t

him full o

, and fell heavily. He was up in an instant,

w quite cool, hit h

time Lord Pom

l himself at his assail

nd hit him under the j

at on his back and l

roken by the soun

to see the Marquess of Ba

ce of a lot." He put up his eyeglasses and stared at Anthony. "If I'd known you could box, you sho

nth, my lord," s

ut a note-case and

u anything?" he

my

e the mon

t once," said the

my lord, that this

blame you. If you want a reference

ling figure was showing signs of life

baggage in hand, he desc

se he encountered

ter. "Don' say you'v

one," sai

t '

Marqu

llow e

n' shame!" he c

y stop

me handsomely.

r sauce 'im, mat

l see." He put out

the fingers before a

ate," he sa

let hims

until a quarter-past one. It was at that hour that he did as he ha

ordship's countenance