at I shall not need to buy any meals
at the stations."

Miss Ogilvy was touched, but laughed the matter off in her charming
way, saying that he would have to be careful that the Custom-house
officers did not think he was smuggling something in his basket, and as
she knew them all must look to her to help him if he got into
difficulties on the journey. Then she went on chatting and drawing him
out, and what is more, made him take several glasses of some delicious
white wine she was drinking. It was not very strong wine, but except
for a little small beer, practically Godfrey had been brought up as a
teetotaller for economy's sake, and it went to his head. He became
rather effusive; he told her of Sir John Blake about whom she seemed to
know everything already, and something of his friendship with Isobel,
who, he added, was coming out that very night at a fancy dress ball in
London.

"I know," said Miss Ogilvy, "at the de Lisles' in Grosvenor Square. I
was asked to it, but could not go as I am starting to-morrow."

Then she rose and said "Good-night," bidding him be sure not to be late
for the train, as she would want him to help her with her luggage.

So off she went looking very charming and gracious, although she was
over forty, and leaving Godfrey quite flattered by her attention.

Not knowing what to do he put on his hat and, walking across the
station yard, took his stand by a gateway pillar and watched the tide
of London life roll by. There he remained for nearly an hour, since the
strange sight fascinated him who had never been in town before, the
object of some attention from a policeman, although of this he was
unaware. Also some rather odd ladies spoke to him from time to time
which he thought kind of them, although they smelt so peculiar and
seemed to have paint upon their faces. In answer to the inquiries of
two of them as to his health he told them that he was very well. Also
he agreed cordially with a third as to the extreme fineness of the
night, and assured a fourth that he had no wish to take a walk as he
was shortly going to bed, a statement which caused her to break into
uncalled-for laughter.

It was at this point that the doubting policeman suggested that he
should move on.

"Where to?" asked Godfrey of that officer of the law.

"To 'ell if you like," he replied. Then struck with curiosity, he
inquired, "Where do you want to go to? This pillar ain't a leaning
post."

Godfrey considered th