zed stupidly at
John Dene. His eyes widened at the uncouth appearance of "Spotty"
Quinton. Mr. Blair started violently as Spotty, seeing the fireplace,
expectorated towards it with astonishing accuracy. Spotty could always
be depended upon to observe the rules of good breeding in such matters.
When a room possessed a fireplace, the ornaments and carpet were always
safe as far as he was concerned.

Mr. Blair gazed stupidly at his visitors.

"I--I----" he stammered.

Without a word John Dene turned, strode across the room and, opening
Sir Lyster's door, disappeared, closing the door behind him with a
bang. Sir Lyster was in the act of reaching across the table for a
letter that Sir Bridgman was handing him. Both men turned to see the
cause of the interruption. Sir Bridgman dropped the letter, and Sir
Lyster slowly withdrew his arm as he gazed in a dazed manner at John
Dene.

Sir Bridgman was the first to recover from his surprise.

"Why, it's John Dene!" he cried heartily, as he rose and grasped the
interrupter's hand. "Where the deuce have you been hiding all this
time?"

"What the hell have you done with that girl, and who's closed my
offices?" demanded John Dene, looking from Sir Bridgman to the First
Lord.

"Girl! what girl?" enquired Sir Lyster.

"Miss West," snapped John Dene.

"Miss West!" repeated Sir Lyster vaguely, then memory suddenly coming
to his aid he added weakly, "Yes, I remember. She became your
secretary."

John Dene regarded him steadily. Sir Bridgman hid a smile, he always
enjoyed a situation that brought Sir Lyster into antagonism with John
Dene.

"Yes; but that don't help any," cried John Dene irascibly. "Where is
she now?"

"Really, Mr. Dene," began Sir Lyster stiffly, when his gaze suddenly
became fixed on the door, which had opened slowly, whilst round the
corner appeared the unprepossessing features of Spotty Quinton.

Following the direction of Sir Lyster's eyes, John Dene saw his
henchman.

"Come right in, Jasp," he cried, and Spotty sidled round the door cap
in hand. Catching sight of the fireplace, he expectorated neatly into
it. Sir Lyster stared at him as if he had suddenly appeared from
another planet.

"This is Jasp. Quinton, one of my boys," announced John Dene, looking
from Sir Lyster to Sir Bridgman with a "take it or leave it" air.

Sir Bridgman advanced a step and held out his hand, which Spotty
clasped warmly, first however, wiping his hand on th