ces of the last root of the last
of those plane-trees."

"And the pines, I suppose, you brought from a neighboring wood?" said
the Count, patriotically endeavoring not to look too dumbfoundered.

"No, sir. Lord Tulliwuddle's factor was too slow for me--said he must
consult his lordship before removing the timber on the estate. I cabled
to Norway: the trees arrived yesterday in Aberdeen, and I guess half
of them are as near perpendicular by now as a theodolite can make them.
They are being erected, sir, on scientific principles."

Restraining his emotion with a severe effort, Bunker quietly observed

"Very good idea. I don't know that it would have occurred to me to land
them at Aberdeen."

From the corner of his eye he saw that his composure had produced a
distinct impression, but he found it hard to retain it through the
Silver King's next statement.

"You have taken a long lease of Lincoln Lodge, I presume?" he inquired.

"One year," said Mr. Maddison. "But I reckon to be comfortable if I'm
spending twenty minutes at a railroad junction."

"Ah!" responded the Count, "in that case shifting a forest must be
child's-play."

The millionaire smiled affably at this pleasantry and invited his guest
to be seated.

"You will try something American, I hope, Count Bunker?" he asked,
touching the bell.

Count Bunker, rightly conceiving this to indicate a cock-tail, replied
that he would, and in as nearly seven and a half seconds as he could
calculate, a tray appeared with two of these remarkable compounds.
Following his host's example, the Count threw his down at a gulp.

"The same," said Mr. Maddison simply. And in an almost equally brief
space the same arrived.

"Now," said he, when they were alone again, "I hope you will pardon
me, Count, if I am discourteous enough to tell you that my time is
uncomfortably cramped. When I first came here I found that I was
expected to stand upon the shore of the river for two hours on the
chance of catching one salmon. But I have changed all that. As soon as I
step outside my door, my ghillie brings me my rod, and if there ain't
a salmon at the end for me to land, another ghillie will receive his
salary. Since lunch I have caught a fish, despatched fifteen cablegrams,
and dictated nine letters. I am only on holiday here, and if I don't get
through double that amount in the next two hours I scarcely see my way
to do much more fishing to-day. That being so, let us come right to