set off down the street. Up one thoroughfare and down
another we passed, until I lost all count of our direction. Throughout
the drive my companion talked away in his best style; commented on the
architecture of the houses, had many queer stories to tell of the
passers-by, and in many other ways kept my attention engaged till the
carriage came to a standstill before a small but pretty villa in a quiet
street.

"Mr. Draper immediately alighted, and when I had done so, dismissed his
coachman, who drove away as we passed through the little garden and
approached the dwelling. The front door was opened by a dignified
man-servant, and we entered. The hall, which was a spacious one for so
small a dwelling, was filled with curios and weapons, but I had small
time for observing them, as my host led me towards a room at the back.
As we entered it he said 'I make you welcome to my house, my lord. I
hope, now that you have taken the trouble to come, I shall be able to
show you something that will repay your visit.' Thereupon, bidding me
seat myself for a few moments, he excused himself and left the room.
When he returned he began to do the honours of the apartment. First we
examined a rack of Australian spears, nulla-nullas, and boomerangs, then
another containing New Zealand hatchets and clubs. After this we crossed
to a sort of alcove where reposed in cases a great number of curios
collected from the further islands of the Pacific. I was about to take
up one of these when the door on the other side of the room opened and
some one entered. At first I did not look round, but hearing the
new-comer approaching me I turned, to find myself, to my horrified
surprise, face to face _with Dr. Nikola_. He was dressed entirely in
black, his coat was buttoned and displayed all the symmetry of his
peculiar figure, while his hair seemed blacker and his complexion even
paler than before. He had evidently been prepared for my visit, for he
held out his hand and greeted me without a sign of astonishment upon his
face.

"'This is indeed a pleasure, my lord,' he said, still with his hand
out-stretched, looking hard at me with his peculiar cat-like eyes. 'I
did not expect to see you again so soon. And you are evidently a little
surprised at meeting me.'

"'I am more than surprised,' I answered bitterly. 'I am horribly
mortified and angry.'

"Mr. Draper said nothing, but Dr. Nikola dropped into a chair and spoke
for him.

"'You must not blame m