e the drains put in thorough order, but when we got the estimate out
for her she absolutely declined. To tell you the truth, the best agents
had all refused, under the circumstances, to have the house upon their
books at all. That is why we got the letting of it."

Mr. Lynn removed the cigar from his mouth for a moment. There was a
slight frown Upon his forehead. He was puzzled.

"Say, you're not getting at me for any reason, are you?" he demanded.

"My dear sir!" Burton protested, eagerly. "I am simply doing my duty
and telling you the truth. The house is not in a fit state to be let to
any one--certainly not to a man with a family. If you will permit me to
say so, you are not going the right way to secure a suitable house. You
simply walked into our office because you saw the sign up, and listened
to anything the governor had to say. We haven't any west-end houses at
all upon our books. It isn't our business, unfortunately. Miller &
Sons, or Roscoe's, are the best people. No one would even come to see
you at Idlemay House, much less stay with you--the place has such a bad
reputation."

"Then will you be good enough to just explain to me why you were
cracking it up like blazes only a few minutes ago?" Mr. Lynn demanded,
indignantly. "I nearly took the darned place!"

Mr. Burton shook his head penitently.

"I am afraid that I cannot explain, sir," he confessed. "To tell you
the truth, I do not understand in the least how I could have brought
myself to be so untruthful. I am only thankful that no harm has been
done."

They had reached the corner of the street in which the offices of
Messrs. Waddington & Forbes were situated. Mr. Lynn came to a full
stop.

"I can't see but what we might just as well part here, young man," he
declared. "There's no use in my coming to your office, after what
you've told me."

"Not the slightest," Mr. Burton admitted frankly, "in fact you are
better away. Mr. Waddington would certainly try to persuade you to
take the house. If you'll accept my advice, sir, you will go to Miller
& Sons in St. James's Place. They have all the best houses on their
books and they are almost certain to find something to suit you."

Mr. Lynn gazed once more at his companion curiously.

"Say, I'm not quite sure that I can size you up, even now," he said.
"At first I thought that you were a rare little hustler, right on the
job. I was set against that house and yet you almost persuaded me into
taking i