-moon-like face that was always twinkling with good-humour. He
always faced his troubles with a smile; met all difficulties lightly,
and generally conquered them in the end. But Reg's trouble was too
serious to be smiled at, the sight of the pale, drawn face of the friend
who had always been so gay and light-hearted was a shock to him, and
when Reg had told his pitiful story, he found it difficult to restrain
his tears. He was fairly intimate with Reg and Amy Johnson, and looked
upon them as an ideal couple.

"My dear old chap, I cannot tell you how sorry I am. This fellow
Wyckliffe must be a miserable scoundrel, but I think I can help you."

"You can, Bridgland?" said Reg, starting.

"Yes, sit down and I will tell you. Listeners are people I despise, but
I was compelled to overhear a conversation, which has troubled me ever
since, but now I see there must have been something in the fact that I
was given this chance. One of the partners here leads the life of a man
about town. His office is there, next to mine, and he frequently has a
young fellow called Tommy drop in and have a chat with him."

"I know him," said Reg.

"Well, on this particular day the door I suppose was not closely shut,
and I chanced to hear them talking about a certain secret club called
the Detlij Club, or some such name. It is nothing more or less, I
believe, than an association of youthful rakes who lay plans to ruin
women. Tommy and he were apparently members, and they frequently spoke
of Wyck."

"That's my man, Bridgland," said Reg, fiercely.

"From what I could gather, this Wyck boasts of the possession of a
diabolical faculty for making girls fall in love with him. His next move
is to throw them over and one more is added to his record, which is kept
by means of notches on a stick. Now I distinctly heard Tommy say that
Wyck had his fiftieth notch booked, and that she was an Australian."

"My God! that was Amy. Bridgland, I will see you again, but I cannot
stay longer now. I begin to see my way clear. A thousand thanks and
good-bye." To Bridgland's astonishment he left the office hurriedly,
without another word.

Calling a cab, Reg drove to the Angora Club in Piccadilly, and asked for
Mr. Thomas. Finding he was not in, he left a letter asking him to meet
him on business of importance at a certain hotel at three o'clock the
following afternoon.

That evening he and the Whytes discussed his project.

The old couple were bearing up w