sing to one of the doorways--all exactly alike--he disappeared for a
moment or two, to return from his bedroom with a black bag, which he
hastily strapped, set down, paused to think for a moment, and then
taking out his keys opened the table-drawer, took out a cheque book, and
sat down to write.

"May as well have enough," he said merrily. "I've waited long enough
for this trip, and a man does not get married every day. One--fifty.
Signature. Bah! Don't cross it, stupid!"

He tore out the cheque, threw back the book, and locked the drawer,
before going to a door on the right-hand side of the fireplace, bending
forward and listening.

"Wonder he has not been in," he muttered. "Now let's see. Anything
else? How absurd! Haven't finished my coffee."

He took the cup from the table, drained it, and, after another look
round, turned to the left side of the fireplace, where he opened a door
corresponding to the one at which he had listened, went in, and returned
directly with an ice axe and an alpenstock.

"May as well take them," he said. "Myra can use you."

He gave the alpenstock a rub with the table napkin before placing it and
his old mountaineering companion against the bag. Then, bending down,
he was busily strapping the portmanteau and forcing the tongue of the
last buckle into its proper hole when there was a knock at the door
behind him, and he started to his feet.

"Come in!"

The answer was a second knock, and with an impatient ejaculation the
occupant of the chambers threw open the fourth door.

"I forgot the bolt was fastened, Mrs Brade," he said, as he drew back
to admit a plump looking, neatly dressed woman in cap and apron, one
corner of which she took up to begin rolling between her fingers as she
stood smiling at the edge of the carpet.

"Yes, sir," she said, "if I might make so bold, and I don't wonder at
it. Oh, my dear--I mean Mr Stratton, sir--how handsome you do look
this morning!"

"Why, you silly old woman!" he cried, half laughing, half annoyed.

"Oh, no, excuse me, sir, not a bit. Handsome is as handsome does, they
say, and you is and does too, sir, and happiness and joy go with you,
sir, and your dear, sweet lady too, sir."

"Oh, thank you, thank you, Mrs Brade, but--"

"I always thought as you would marry some day, sir, as was only natural,
but I never thought as a widow would be your lot."

"Mrs Brade!" cried Stratton impatiently, and with his brows contracting
a li