ieur Dupont again. "I had imagined I should be
asking a thing the most simple."

"So you are," Tranter assured him. "The fault is with me. Where women
are concerned I am utterly hopeless. I fly from a pretty woman as you
might fly from a crocodile."

"An ugly woman," said Monsieur Dupont, "is the real friend of man--if he
would but know it."

"The dull family dinners of dull family people are the only 'functions'
I ever attend. However, let me see what can be done for you." Tranter
rose, and with an amused expression began to sort out a small pile of
cards on the mantel-piece.

Monsieur Dupont smiled on. He emptied his glass, and inhaled the smoke
of his excellent cigar with all the enjoyment of a satisfied
connoisseur. His glance played from one article of furniture to another,
from the floor to the ceiling, from bookcase to bookcase, from picture
to picture. The very plainness of the room seemed to fascinate him. His
gaze sought out the ugliest picture, and became fixed on it. Tranter
turned over all the cards, and shrugged his shoulders helplessly.

"In a couple of days I shall be able to fix you up a dozen times over,"
he said. "But I am afraid I have scarcely anything to offer you for
to-morrow night. Why didn't you drop me a line in advance?"

"Let us dispense with to-morrow night, then," said Monsieur Dupont.

Tranter ran through the cards again.

"There is a dinner at Lord Crumbleton's--which I have too much regard
for you to suggest. The Countess is a most estimable lady, who has spent
the last fifteen years in vain attempts to become unfaithful to her
husband, and now reads the Apocrypha all day for stimulation. You could
dine with a high-church clergyman who absolves sins, or an actor-manager
who commits them. But stay----" he paused quickly. "I forgot. There is
something else." He sorted out a card. "Here is a possibility of
amusement that had escaped me."

"Ah!" said Monsieur Dupont.

"George Copplestone has favored me with an invitation to a select
gathering at his house at Richmond, which would be very much more likely
to provide answers to riddles. I never accept Copplestone's invitations
on principle--although he goes on sending them. But, if you like, I will
break my rule, and take you. It is sure to be entertaining, if nothing
more."

Monsieur Dupont bowed his gratitude. Tranter replaced the cards, and
returned to his seat.

"Copplestone is a remarkable individual, who has learnt what a