ry creditably--in fact, he got a baronetcy for it."

As the year before last was the year in which Horace had paid his
involuntary visit to the Guildhall, he was able to reply with truth that
he _did_ remember Sir Lawrence.

He was not altogether comfortable when the ex-Lord-Mayor was announced,
for it would have been more than awkward if Sir Lawrence had chanced to
remember _him_. Fortunately, he gave no sign that he did so, though his
manner was graciousness itself. "Delighted, my dear Mr. Ventimore," he
said pressing Horace's hand almost as warmly as he had done that October
day of the dais, "most delighted to make your acquaintance! I am always
glad to meet a rising young man, and I hear that the house you have
designed for my old friend here is a perfect palace--a marvel, sir!"

"I knew he was my man," declared Mr. Wackerbath, as Horace modestly
disclaimed Sir Lawrence's compliment. "You remember, Pountney, my dear
fellow, that day when we were crossing Westminster Bridge together, and
I was telling you I thought of building? 'Go to one of the leading
men--an R.A. and all that sort of thing,' you said, 'then you'll be sure
of getting your money's worth.' But I said, 'No, I like to choose for
myself; to--ah--exercise my own judgment in these matters. And there's a
young fellow I have in my eye who'll beat 'em all, if he's given the
chance. I'm off to see him now.' And off I went to Great Cloister Street
(for he hadn't those palatial offices of his in Victoria Street at that
time) without losing another instant, and dropped in on him with my
little commission. Didn't I, Ventimore?"

"You did indeed," said Horace, wondering how far these reminiscences
would go.

"And," continued Mr. Wackerbath, patting Horace on the shoulder, "from
that day to this I've never had a moment's reason to regret it. We've
worked in perfect sympathy. His ideas coincided with mine. I think he
found that I met him, so to speak, on all fours."

Ventimore assented, though it struck him that a happier expression
might, and would, have been employed if his client had remembered one
particular interview in which he had not figured to advantage.

They went in to dinner, in a room sumptuously decorated with panels of
grey-green brocade and softly shaded lamps, and screens of gilded
leather; through the centre of the table rose a tall palm, its boughs
hung with small electric globes like magic fruits.

"This palm," said the Professor, who was