ctually at five minutes to nine, and was already

?" the latter remarked, divesting

thanks," Ar

the governor'

nice i

arvis. "Slap-up wines, and the right sort of

e previous evening with Mr. Jarvis. The latter, however, came a little nea

," he said, "exactly how M

rly charming and very beautiful lad

s was dis

gave me the impression of a woman who wasn't above using the powder-puff. She drove down here with

rked. "I dare say this atmosphere

t on, "that the governor would have done better to have married into one of our old city families. Nothing like them, you know, Chet

," Arnold rema

Mr. Weatherley arrived. He passed through the office and bestowed upon e

?" he inquired, striving after a note of p

ll, thank

asant, I hope? Didn't lose

sir," Arnold replied. "As a matter of fact, I believe

o his office. Jarvis waite

e with Mrs. Weatherl

e you noticed the shrinkage of

ntroubled with any more questions. At half-past twelve, however, he was sent for into Mr. Weatherley's private

or, Chetwode

d as he w

eatherley continued, after a moment's pause. "You are a young man of discretion,

nly not looking as hale and prosperous as a few months ago. His cheeks were flabby, and there was a

cretion, I may say that I believe I am to be trusted. I should

you now with a somewhat peculiar commission. You may have noticed that I have

old replied. "It was

tice of. I want you accordingly to go to a certain restaurant in the west-end, the name and address of which I will give you, order your

r. I remember

this message is from a friend. Tell him that whatever engagement he may have formed for luncheon, he is to go at once to the Prince's Grill

Arnold assented. "But supp

re there as the result of certain telephone messages addressed to me this morning, and that I should have come myself if it had

thing to tell a perfect str

produced a fi

o me for the change later, but don't spare yourself. Have as good a lunch as you can eat. The restauran

ll, sir,

ooked at his emp

been there, the

ce, sir," Ar

eight shillings a w

nted. "My circumstances were s

anner did not invite confidences. On the oth

at you don't do your work and all that sort of thing," he went on, hastily. "I haven't a word of complaint

ed. "I am hoping that before long you will find that

ambitio

e young man wa

e when I used to imagine things. I have quite finished with that. I

ley nodded

one, and you may find promotion is almost as quick in

rned toward the door, "that Mrs. Wea

lly visible before luncheon time. Continental habits, you know. I shall

coat with extra care as he

s remarked, looking at the clock. "Not sure t

for the governor

e bank?" Mr.

he Strand. Freed from the routine of his office work, he found his mind once more full of the events of last night. There was so much that he could not understand, yet there was so much that seemed to be leading him on towards the la