s. I was absolutely powerless to move. Mrs.
Smith-Lessing had left the outside chair vacant. He sank into it and
leaned across the table towards me.

"It is Guy," he said in a shaking voice. "I am sure that it is Guy.
She has told you who I am. Eh?"

"Yes," I answered. "I know who you are."

He extended a shaking hand across the table. I could not take it.

"Well, well," he said nervously, "perhaps you are right. But I came to
England to see you. Yes, Guy, that is the truth! I have been a bad
father, but I may be able to make amends. I think I know a way.--
Waiter, a glass of brandy."

"I am afraid," I said, rising to my feet, "that you must excuse me.--If
you have anything to say to me, sir, we can meet another time."

He almost dragged me down.

"Stop, stop!" he said irritably. "You do not seem to understand. I had
an important matter of business to discuss with you. I may make your
fortune yet, my boy! I have powerful friends abroad, very powerful."

I looked at him steadily.

"Well?"

She laid her hand upon his arm, and whispered in his ear. He only shook
his head angrily.

"Nonsense, Maud!" he exclaimed. "You do not understand. This is my son
Guy. Of course we must talk together. It is a wonderful meeting--yes,
a wonderful meeting."

"Well?" I repeated.

"I am glad to hear," he continued, "that you are holding such an
important position. Clerk to the Military Defence Board, eh? Quite an
important position, of course; but it might be made--yes, with care, it
might be made," he added, watching me with nervous alertness, "a very
lucrative one."

"I am quite satisfied with my salary," I remarked calmly.

"Pooh! my dear boy, that is nonsense," he continued. "You do not
understand me. It is an open secret. Maud, are we overheard here, do
you think? Is it safe to discuss an important matter with Guy here?"

I rose to my feet and took up my hat. Again she whispered in his ear,
and this time he seemed to assent.

"Quite right! Quite right!" he said, nodding his head. "Guy, my boy,
you shall come and see us. No. 29, Bloomsbury Street--poor rooms, but
our remittances have gone astray, and I have been ill. To-morrow, eh?
or the next day? We shall expect you, Guy. We do not go out except in
the evenings. You will not fail, Guy?"

I looked down into his flushed face. His lips were shaking, and his
eyes were fixed anxiously upon mine. I was miserably ashamed and
unhappy.

"I do not think that I shall car