How are you, Charlie, my boy? Here's a game! You'll come too, of
course? Mortimer, this fellow is Drift's special--up to all the
wrinkles, no end of a knowing blade."

During this brief and rapid salutation Tom and Charlie, I need hardly
say, were speechless. One in utter despair, the other in utter rage and
astonishment. In both the revulsion of feeling caused by the
interruption was almost stupefying, and they stood for a moment staring
at the intruders in simple bewilderment.

Tom was the first to find words. His cheeks were white, and his voice
almost choked as he said to Gus,--

"I wish you'd go. I'm engaged."

"So you are," said Gus, with a sneer; "but I say. Tom, old man, I wish
you'd come. It's too good a thing to miss."

"Go away!" almost gasped Tom.

"Oh, of course an Englishman's house is his castle," said Gus, offended
at this unusual rebuff; "you're a fool, though, that's all. We were
going to have a spree to-night that would make all sprees of the past
month look foolish. Come along, don't be an ass; and bring young
mooney-face; I dare say by this time he knows what's what as well as you
or me, Tom; eh, Jack?"

"Lookth tho," replied the amused Jack.

By this time Charlie had found words. The truth of course had all
flashed in upon him; he knew the secret now of Tom's strange manner, of
the neglected letters, of the haggard looks, of the reluctant welcome.

And he knew, too, that but for this untimely incursion he would have
heard it all from Tom himself, penitent and humble, instead of, as now,
hardened and desperate.

And he recognised in the miserable little swaggering dandy before him
the author and the promoter of his friend's ruin; on him therefore his
sudden rage expended itself.

"You little cowardly wretch!" he exclaimed, addressing Gus, "haven't you
done mischief enough to Tom already? Go out of his room!"

Poor Charlie! Nothing could have been more fatal to his hopes than this
rash outbreak. The words had scarcely escaped his lips before he saw
the mischief he had done.

Tom's manner suddenly altered. All signs of shame and penitence
disappeared as he stepped with a swagger up to Charlie and exclaimed,--

"What business have you to attack my friends? Get out yourself!"

"Bravo, Tom, old man," cried the delighted Gus. "Do you hear, young
prig? walk off, you're not wanted here."

Charlie stood for one moment stunned and irresolute. Had there been in
Tom's fac