; "but he could
no doubt see you for two or three minutes if he asked you to call.
Perhaps you will step this way."

Before Mr. Triggs had a chance of doing as was suggested, Peel had
turned aside.

"No, my lady, his Lordship is not in yet; but he will not be more than
a minute or two. This gentleman," he looked at the card, "Mr. Triggs,
is----"

"Oh, Mr. Triggs, how do you do?" cried Lady Tanagra, extending her hand.

Mr. Triggs looked at the exquisite little vision before him in surprise
and admiration. He took the proffered hand as if it had been a piece
of priceless porcelain.

"I'm Lord Peter's sister, you know. I've heard all about you from
Patricia. Do come up and let us have a chat before my brother comes."

Mr. Triggs followed Lady Tanagra into the lift, too surprised and
bewildered to make any response to her greeting. As the lift slid
upwards he mopped his brow vigorously with his handkerchief.

When they were seated in Bowen's sitting-room he at last found voice.

"I just been to see 'er," he said.

"Who, Patricia?" asked Lady Tanagra.

Mr. Triggs nodded, and there was a look in his eyes which implied that
he was not at all satisfied with what he had seen.

"Quarrelled, 'aven't they?"' he asked.

"Well," began Lady Tanagra, not quite knowing how much Mr. Triggs
actually knew of the circumstances of the case.

"Said she'd broken it off. I gave her a talking to, I did. She'll
never get another young chap like 'im."

"Did you tell her so?" asked Lady Tanagra.

"Tell her so, I should think I did!" said Mr. Triggs, "and more than
once too."

"Oh, you foolish, foolish man!" cried Lady Tanagra, wringing her hands
in mock despair. A moment afterwards she burst out laughing at the
comical look of dismay on Mr. Triggs's face.

"What 'ave I done?" he cried in genuine alarm.

"Why, don't you see that you have implied that all the luck is on her
side, and that will make her simply furious?"

"But--but----" began Mr. Triggs helplessly, looking very much like a
scolded child.

"Now sit down," ordered Lady Tanagra with an irresistible smile, "and
I'll tell you. My brother wants to marry Patricia, and Patricia, for
some reason best known to herself, says that it can't be done. Now I'm
sure that she is fond of Peter; but he has been so impetuous that he
has rather taken her breath away. I've never known him like it
before," said Lady Tanagra plaintively.

"But 'e's an awfully lucky fello