dered too, but sharply decided. "Come when you _have_
it. But tell me first," she added, "one thing." She hung fire a little
while he waited, but she brought it out. "Was it you who got the
'Journal' to speak?"

"Ah, one scarcely 'gets' the 'Journal'!"

"Who then gave them their 'tip'?"

"About the Mantovano and its peril?" Well, he took a moment--but only
not to say; in addition to which the butler had reappeared, entering
from the lobby. "I'll tell you," he laughed, "when I come back!"

Gotch had his manner of announcement while the visitor was mounting the
stairs. "Mr. Breckenridge Bender!"

"Ah then I go," said Lady Grace at once.

"I'll stay three minutes." Hugh turned with her, alertly, to the easier
issue, signalling hope and cheer from that threshold as he watched her
disappear; after which he faced about with as brave a smile and as ready
for immediate action as if she had there within kissed her hand to him.
Mr. Bender emerged at the same instant, Gotch withdrawing and closing
the door behind him; and the former personage, recognising his young
friend, threw up his hands for friendly pleasure.

III

"Ah, Mr. Crimble," he cordially inquired, "you've come with your great
news?"

Hugh caught the allusion, it would have seemed, but after a moment.
"News of the Moretto? No, Mr. Bender, I haven't news _yet_." But he
added as with high candour for the visitor's motion of disappointment:
"I think I warned you, you know, that it would take three or four
weeks."

"Well, in _my_ country," Mr. Bender returned with disgust, "it would
take three or four minutes! Can't you make 'em step more lively?"

"I'm expecting, sir," said Hugh good-humouredly, "a report from hour to
hour."

"Then will you let me have it right off?"

Hugh indulged in a pause; after which very frankly: "Ah, it's scarcely
for you, Mr. Bender, that I'm acting!"

The great collector was but briefly checked. "Well, can't you just act
for Art?"

"Oh, you're doing that yourself so powerfully," Hugh laughed, "that I
think I had best leave it to you!"

His friend looked at him as some inspector on circuit might look at a
new improvement. "Don't you want to go round acting _with_ me?"

"Go 'on tour,' as it were? Oh, frankly, Mr. Bender," Hugh said, "if I
had any weight----!"

"You'd add it to your end of the beam? Why, what have I done that _you_
should go back on me--after working me up so down there? The worst I've
done," Mr. Bend