d
lapsed a little from his chivalry. "I was a little annoyed at the way he
rushed me to do all this business," he said. "But I'd do a hundred times
as much if it would bring you any nearer to her." Pause. "I WOULD like a
little tea."

"I don't want to raise any false hopes," said Widgery. "But I do NOT
believe they even came to Chichester. Dangle's a very clever fellow, of
course, but sometimes these Inferences of his--"

"Tchak!" said Phipps, suddenly.

"What is it?" said Mrs. Milton.

"Something I've forgotten. I went right out from here, went to every
other hotel in the place, and never thought--But never mind. I'll ask
when the waiter comes."

"You don't mean--" A tap, and the door opened. "Tea, m'm? yes, m'm,"
said the waiter.

"One minute," said Phipps. "Was a lady in grey, a cycling lady--"

"Stopped here yesterday? Yessir. Stopped the night. With her brother,
sir--a young gent."

"Brother!" said Mrs. Milton, in a low tone. "Thank God!"

The waiter glanced at her and understood everything. "A young gent,
sir," he said, "very free with his money. Give the name of Beaumont."
He proceeded to some rambling particulars, and was cross-examined by
Widgery on the plans of the young couple.

"Havant! Where's Havant?" said Phipps. "I seem to remember it
somewhere."

"Was the man tall?" said Mrs. Milton, intently, "distinguished looking?
with a long, flaxen moustache? and spoke with a drawl?"

"Well," said the waiter, and thought. "His moustache, m'm, was scarcely
long--scrubby more, and young looking."

"About thirty-five, he was?"

"No, m'm. More like five and twenty. Not that."

"Dear me!" said Mrs. Milton, speaking in a curious, hollow voice,
fumbling for her salts, and showing the finest self-control. "It must
have been her YOUNGER brother--must have been."

"That will do, thank you," said Widgery, officiously, feeling that she
would be easier under this new surprise if the man were dismissed. The
waiter turned to go, and almost collided with Dangle, who was entering
the room, panting excitedly and with a pocket handkerchief held to his
right eye. "Hullo!" said dangle. "What's up?"

"What's up with YOU?" said Phipps.

"Nothing--an altercation merely with that drunken ostler of yours. He
thought it was a plot to annoy him--that the Young Lady in Grey was
mythical. Judged from your manner. I've got a piece of raw meat to keep
over it. You have some news, I see?"

"Did the man hit you?" asked Wid