He pacified Lionel with the news; for, if he went along to
the Universities Club at half-past eight, he must surely be able to
place the money in Lord Rockminster's own hands.

"Maurice, you're awfully kind," his friend murmured. "And you've had
nothing to eat all day. Tell Mrs. Jenkins to get you something--"

"Oh, that's all right," Mangan said, carelessly. "I'll just scribble a
line to Francie, to tell her what the doctors have said; and I'll take
that down to the post myself. Then I'll get something to eat and come
back here; and at half-past eight I'm going along to Pall Mall, where
I'm certain to catch Lord Rockminster--so that it's all quite right and
straight, you see."

But, as it chanced, when he went along to the Universities that evening,
he found he had missed his man--by only a minute or two. He was
surprised and troubled; he knew how Lionel would fret. The hall-porter
did not know whither Lord Rockminster had gone; that is to say, he
almost certainly did know, but it was not his business to tell. Luckily,
at this same moment, there was a young fellow leaving the club, and, as
he was lighting his cigar, he heard Maurice's inquiries--and perhaps was
rather struck by his appearance, which was certainly not that of a
sheriff's officer.

"I think I can tell you where they have gone, sir," said the young man,
good-naturedly. "Some of them had an early dinner to-night, to go up to
the billiard handicap at the Palm-Tree; I fancy Lord Rockminster was of
the party, and that you will find him there."

This information proved correct. Mangan went up to the Palm-Tree Club in
St. James Street and sent in his card. Almost directly he was invited to
step up-stairs to the billiard-room. Just as he entered the door, he saw
Lord Rockminster leave the raised bench where he had been seated by the
side of a very artificial-looking palm-tree stem, and the next moment
the two men were face to face.

"How do you do, Mr. Mangan?" Lord Rockminster said, in his usual
impassive way. "You remember I had the pleasure of meeting you at my
sister's. What is the matter with your friend Mr. Moore?--I see by the
evening paper he is not to appear to-night."

"He is far from well--a chill followed by a fever," Mangan answered. "I
have just come from him, with a message for you."

"Oh, really," said the young nobleman. "Ah, I dare say I know; but I
assure you it is quite unnecessary. Tell him not to mind. When a
fellow's ill, why sho