think? Seemed as quiet as they make 'em down at the old professor's. I
tell you I shouldn't have known you again."

Burton was suddenly white. Mr. Waddington plunged in.

"Dry old stick, the professor, anyway, from what I've heard," he said.
"Now don't you forget, Mr. Bunsome. I shall be round at your office at
ten o'clock sharp to-morrow, and I expect to be let into the company.
Three beans I've got, and remember they're worth something. They took
that old Egyptian Johnny--him and his family, of course--a matter of a
thousand years to grow, and there's no one else on to them. Why,
they're unique, and they do the trick, too--that I can speak for. Paid
the bill, Burton?"

Burton nodded. The two men shook hands with Mr. Bunsome and prepared
to leave. They walked out into the Strand.

"Got anything to do this afternoon particular?" Mr. Waddington asked,
after a moment's hesitation.

"Not a thing," Burton replied, puffing at his cigar and unconsciously
altering slightly the angle of his hat.

"Wouldn't care about a game of billiards at the Golden Lion, I suppose?"
Mr. Waddington suggested.

"Rather!" Burton assented. "Let's buy the girls some flowers and take a
taxi down. Go down in style, eh? I'll pay."

Mr. Waddington looked at his companion--watched him, indeed, hail the
taxi--and groaned. A sudden wave of half-ashamed regret swept through
him. It was gone, then, this brief peep into a wonderful world! His
own fall was imminent. The click of the balls was in his ears, the
taste of strong drink was inviting him. The hard laugh and playful
familiarities of the buxom young lady were calling to him. He sighed
and took his place by his companion's side.

CHAPTER XXVII

MR. WADDINGTON ALSO

With his hat at a very distinct angle indeed, with a fourpenny cigar,
ornamented by a gold band, in his mouth, Burton sat before a hard-toned
piano and vamped.

"Pretty music, The Chocolate Soldier," he remarked, with an air of
complete satisfaction in his performance.

Miss Maud, who was standing by his side with her hand laid lightly upon
his shoulder, assented vigorously.

"And you do play it so nicely, Mr. Burton," she said. "It makes me
long to see it again. I haven't been to the theatre for heaven knows
how long!"

Burton turned round in his stool. "What are you doing to-night?" he
asked. "Nothing," the young lady replied, eagerly. "Take me to the
theatre, there's a dear."

"Righto!" he declared. "I expect I