gnity and informed
me that his noble master cared to see me in his chamber when it would
suit my convenience.

Of course the old Earl was after his papers. And what was I to tell
him,--that I was all befooled and befuddled?--that after my father had
kept these papers for so many years in faithful trust I had lost them
on the very brink of deliverance of them to their rightful owner? What
was I to speak?

I did not wish to see the Earl of Westport, but some sudden and
curious courage forced me into my clothes and out to the corridor. The
Earl's valet was waiting there. "I pray you, sir, follow me," he said.
I followed him to an expensive part of the inn, where he knocked upon
a door. It was opened by a bending serving-man. The room was a kind of
parlour, and in it, to my surprise, were Lord Strepp and Colonel
Royale. They gazed at me with a surprise equivalent to mine own.

Young Lord Strepp was the first one thoroughly to collect himself.
Then he advanced upon me with outstretched hand.

"Mr. O'Ruddy," he cried, "believe me, we are glad to see you. We
thought you had gone for all time."

Colonel Royale was only a moment behind his friend, but as he extended
his hand his face flushed painfully.

"Sir," he said somewhat formally, "not long ago I lost my temper, I
fear. I know I have to thank you for great consideration and
generosity. I--I--you--"

Whereupon we both began to stammer and grimace. All the time I was
chocking out:

"Pray--pray--, don't speak of it--a--nothing--in truth, you kindly
exaggerate--I--"

It was young Lord Strepp who brought us out of our embarrassment.
"Here, you two good fellows," he cried heartily, "a glass of wine with
you."

We looked gratefully at him, and in the business of filling our
glasses we lost our awkwardness. "To you," said Lord Strepp; and as we
drained our wine I knew that I had two more friends in England.

During the drinking the Earl's valet had been hovering near my
coat-tails. Afterward he took occasion to make gentle suggestion to
me:

"His lordship awaits your presence in his chamber, sir, when it
pleases you."

The other gentlemen immediately deferred to my obligation, and I
followed the valet into a large darkened chamber. It was some moments
before my eyes could discover that the Earl was abed. Indeed, a
rasping voice from beneath the canopies called to me before I knew
that anybody was in the chamber but myself and the valet.

"Come hither, O'Ruddy,