th a grunt. He was alone in his private o

never caught that fellow!" he exclaimed

m some papers upon w

r," he reminded his employer. "They woul

ich he had been reading onto the floo

d take the matter up-one of the ha'penny papers on the lookout for a sensation might manage it. Just see here what happens," he went on earnestly. "A man is murdered in cold blood in a fashionabl

ng of little else for the l

dmitted, "except that the murderer up t

agreed, pulling nervously at his little patch of gray si

of it," Arno

urself as to the motive?" Mr

shook h

emarked. "I did hear it said that some one was tryin

air back with his hand. He appear

red to me from the first, Chetwode. It certainly did

. "He and Mr. Rosario seemed to be very great friends. They w

ntered the office from the murky street was none of the best, but he seemed

tell you the truth I don't know much about them. Mrs. Weatherley wishes to have them there and that is quite enough for

ttle person, without taste or culture, upon whom even a good tailor seemed to have wasted his efforts. A certain pomposity which in a way became the man-proclaimed hi

ctfully. "If there is anything which you don't understand, I should ask for an explanati

wife's name an expression partly fatuous, partly beatific, transformed his homely features. He was looking a

ortugal and it seems to me these foreigners hang on together more than we do. I am only too glad for her to be with him as much as she chooses. It is just a little unfortunate that his friends should sometimes be-well, a trifle distasteful, but

rnold. "I believe he went

cial career, which I believe was an eventful one, he would naturally make enemies.... By the bye, Che

t suppose anything is really known. It seem

ley nodded

one trying it on and Rosario defying him. Just th

remarked, "although it scarcely turn

ley distinc

es, and ask Jarvis to see me at once about Budden & Williams' ac

ine figure crossing the pavement. Mr. Weatherley's fingers, busy already with

he way in! This is the first time in her life she has been he

t tilt and her lips a curl. But when she saw Arnold, a wonderful smile transformed her face. She was in the middle of the clerk's office, the cynosure of twenty-four

n this odious gloom? You will sho

open the door of the inner off

e in with me. I want to thank you f

ned away. Mr. Tidey Junior carefully arranged

lifetime's gratitude if you'll send me into t

e telephone, took off his gold-r

& Burland, wishes to know at what time he can see the g

turned away, h

, you fellows, if I am not out just yet.

d. In a very few seconds he was out again. His ap

ook.... I tell you what, Jarvis," he added, slowly resuming his stool, "the governor's not himself these days. The least he could have done would ha

the private office and closed the door carefully behind him. As he stood upon the threshold, his heart gave a sudden leap. Mr. Weatherley was sitting in his accustomed chair, but his attitude and expression were a

therley," he remarked, lay

d, seemed to realize Arnold's presence. The lat

th me and I am a little frightened. And all because I have asked him to help a ve

d doubtfully at Mr. Weatherley, w

scussion-" his employer began,

y brother that he shall have it. It is most important, and if all goes well it will come back to you some day or other. If not, you must make up your mind to lose it. Please write out the cheque, and afterwards Mr. Chetw

ith an unwieldy attempt at jocularity, "th

Andrea do not agree very well. You bore him so much and then he is irritable. I

a, who had risen to her feet and was standing over him with her hand upon his shoulder, stuffed it care

nd come home punctually. Are y

osition more than ever embarr

are me, sir

therley

d, "I am not very busy myself. Is it absolutely necessary that you lunch with

kiss to him

or something. Come, Mr. Chetwode," she added, turning towards the door, "we have barely a quarter of an hour to get to the Carlton. I dare not be late. The only per

e cheque. Then he rose and from a safe point of vantage watched the car drive off. With slow, leaden footsteps