s'
conscience was quite at ease. He had done nothing wrong. He was not,
as far as he was aware, mixed up in anything unpleasant. His
innocence, though it did not make him feel comfortable, gave him
courage to attempt an argument with Meldon.

"Why should I come down?" he said. "I'm umpiring in this match, and I
see no reason for leaving it in the middle."

"Very well," said Meldon. "If you choose to take up that sort of
attitude you'll only have yourself to thank for the unpleasantness
which will follow. Still, I've always had a regard for you, although
you're not what I'd call popular with the people of Ballymoy, so I
won't say more than I can help at first. Have you forgotten Miss King?"

"No," said Simpkins, "I haven't. Why should I? I mean to say, there's
nothing particular for me to remember about Miss King."

The secretary of the tennis club pushed his way through the crowd. He
was in an excited and irritated condition. Every single competitor had
complained that the handicapping was disgracefully done. Some were
angry because their skill was reckoned too cheaply; others thought that
their chances of winning were unduly prejudiced. They had all
expressed their opinions freely to the secretary. It was also becoming
more and more evident that the tournament could not possibly be
finished in the time allotted to it. The secretary had spent the
morning urging the players not to waste time. It particularly annoyed
him to see that Simpkins' two ladies had stopped playing.

"What's the matter?" he said. "Why the--I mean to say, why on earth
don't you go on with your game?"

"I'm sorry to interrupt the proceedings," said Meldon, "but it is
imperatively necessary for me to have a few words in private with
Simpkins."

The secretary turned on Simpkins at once. He was one of the people who
had grumbled most loudly and continuously about his handicap. He had
also wasted time by raising obscure points of law on two occasions.
The secretary had conceived a strong dislike for him.

"Why don't you go," he said, "and hear what this gentleman has to say?
I'll get another umpire."

"He hasn't anything to say to me," said Simpkins.

"He says he has," said the secretary, "and he ought to know."

"Quite right," said Meldon. "I'm the only person who does know.
Simpkins can't be really certain that I haven't until he comes and
listens."

"Go at once," said the secretary.

Simpkins looked round him for