jerked sharply. I looked round and saw Jack Heneage.
Jack is a nice boy, the son of an old friend of mine. I have known him
ever since he first went to school. About six months ago his father
and I between us secured a very nice appointment for the boy, a sort
of private secretaryship or something of that sort. I understood at the
time that Jack's business was to run messages for an important man's
wife; and that the appointment would lead on to something good in the
political world. I was surprised to see him standing beside me for I had
not asked him to my party and he was not wearing evening clothes. Jack
would never go anywhere, willingly, unless he were properly dressed.

"Sit down," I said, "and don't talk. Mr. Gorman is just going to make a
speech."

"Is Ascher here?" said Jack.

"He is; in the front row."

"Thank God. I've been chasing him all over London. Office, club, private
house, tearing round in a taxi for hours. My Chief wants him."

"Your chief can't get him now," I said. "Not for half an hour, perhaps
three quarters. Gorman isn't likely to stop under three quarters. Till
he does you can't get Ascher."

"I must," said Jack. "I simply must. It's--it's frightfully important."

Gorman began his speech. I did not hear what he said because I was
trying to restrain Jack Heneage, but the audience laughed, so I suppose
he began with a joke. Jack shook off my hold on his arm and walked right
up to the front of the hall. I saw Gorman scowling at him but Jack did
not seem to mind that in the least. He handed a note to Ascher. Gorman
said something about the very distinguished audience before him, a
remark plainly intended to fill in the time while Jack and Ascher were
finishing their business. Ascher read the note, rose from his seat and
came towards me. Everybody looked at him and at Jack who was following
him. Gorman repeated what he had said about the distinguished audience.

"I find," Ascher said to me, "that I am obliged to leave you. I am very
sorry."

"I have a taxi outside," said Jack, pushing Ascher towards the door.

Ascher lingered, looking at me wistfully. "I may not be able to return,"
he said. "If I cannot will you bring my wife home? The car will be here
and can drive you back to your rooms afterwards."

I was a little surprised at the request. Mrs. Ascher is, I should think,
pretty well able to take care of herself.

"I think we ought to start, sir," said Jack Heneage, taking Ascher by