ot where he expects to find friends and where his welcome is assured. Mrs. Paston B

r friend! For days I have wondered what it was in th

e outstretched hands and

you repay me in one moment for

towards her

ives to pay us one of his too rare visits. Thank you! You know Captain Baring, don't you, Mr. Selingman? This is another frien

which he flashed upon Norgate contained other elements besides those of polite pleasure. H

sted. "We occupied the same coupe coming from Berlin

iar gesture which her enemies declared was in some wa

ind that you belong to the same

s last night, but we did not speak of bridge. In fact, from the tone of our conversation, I should h

d. "I confess that auction bridge, as it is played ove

kery?" Norgate asked. "

liday. After that I settle down for one week's hard work. London-your great London-takes always first place with me. In the mornings I see my agents and my customers. Perhaps I lunch with one of them. At four o'clock I close my desk,

gman, with a huge cigar in his mouth, played well and had every appearance of thoroughly enjoying the g

are better off here,"

hing like thi

hings one cherishes," Norgate

te, and there was a new quality in his piercing gaze, an instant return in his expression of the shadow which had swept the broad good-humour from his face

me is most extraordinary, my young friend! Since yesterd

was a critical one, portentous to an extent which

most ungracious and unsociable. I was in a thoroughly bad temper and indisposed for conversation.

passed from his face. To all appearance th

found that I spoke English and that you could not escape conversation, you allowed me to talk on a

Mrs. Paston Benedek remarked. "He

ockets. He indulged in a few German expletives, bombastic and thunderous, wh

sposed for idle conversation! Mr. Francis Norgate, eh? A little affair at the Café de Berlin with a lady and a hot-headed young princeling. Well, well! Young sir, you have bec

produced a small black cigar from what seemed to be a harmless-looking reticule

e little personal reminiscences are very interesting among yourselv

his manners, although his eyes se

madam," he acknowledg

ative silence. At its conclusion, Selingman

gry," he

t him. "Hungry at half

than usual, too. I did not even leave my office, I was so a

ards a moment and then rose to

e sighed. "I am taking it for granted, you se

vening in London, I think that I should send another to look after my business in this country, and retire myself to the seclusion of my little country h

m to you so long as you

bade them good night.

d soon make himse