to his thoughts; he
would not be alone for a minute if he could help it.

They left Sangster's rooms and went to Jimmy's.

"I asked Christine to come here the other day," Jimmy said with a short
laugh as he fitted his key in the door. "She wouldn't, of course."

"Why not?"

"Because Cynthia had been here." He looked away from his friend's
eyes. "I don't blame her. She'll never understand the difference.
That--that other---- I wonder how it ever came about at all now, when
I look back."

Sangster followed him silently.

"I shall give the d----d place up," Jimmy said sullenly. "I can't
afford to keep it on really; and if she won't come here----"

Sangster made no comment. Jimmy put his hat down on the table and went
over to the sideboard for whisky and glasses.

"Don't be a fool, Jimmy," said Sangster.

He shrugged his shoulders when Jimmy told him to mind his own business.
He turned away.

"Here's a telegram," he said suddenly.

Jimmy turned.

"For me?"

"Yes--your brother I expect."

Jimmy snatched up the yellow envelope and tore it open. He read the
message through:

"Coming to London to-night. Meet me Waterloo eight-thirty."

He laughed mirthlessly.

"The Great Horatio?" Sangster asked.

"Yes."

Jimmy had forgotten the whisky. He took up his hat.

"Come on; I must tell Christine." He made for the door.

"You'd better take the wire to show her," said Sangster. They went out
into the street together.

"It's too early to go to the Savoy," said Jimmy. He was walking very
fast now. There was a sort of eagerness in his face; perhaps he hoped
that his brother's presence, as Sangster had said, would make all the
difference. "We'll hop along to the hotel and fetch her."

He walked Sangster off his feet. He pushed open the swing door of the
hotel with an impatient hand.

"Mrs. Challoner--my wife--is she in?"

The hall porter looked at Jimmy curiously. He thought he and Christine
were the strangest married couple he had ever come across. There was a
little twinkle in his solemn eyes as he answered:

"Mrs. Challoner went very early, sir. She asked me to telephone to you
at the Savoy at one o'clock and say she was sorry she would not be able
to meet you----"

"Not be able to meet me?" Jimmy's voice and face were blank.

"That is what Mrs. Challoner said, sir. She went out with a
gentleman,--a Mr. Kettering, she told me to say, sir."

Sangster turned sharply away. For th