he helped Mrs. Bradshaw in
and stood with his foot on the step. "By the way, you had better go back
and lock my pocket-book up. I left it on the washstand, and there's best
part of a thousand pounds in it. You can take fifty for yourself to buy
smokes with."

There was a murmur of admiration, and Mr. Wright, with a frantic attempt
to keep up appearances, tried to thank him, but in vain. Long after the
cab had rolled away he stood on the pavement trying to think out a
position which was rapidly becoming unendurable. Still keeping up
appearances, he had to pretend to go home to look after the pocket-book,
leaving the jubilant Mr. Hills to improve the shining hour with Miss
Bradshaw.

Mr. Kemp, returning home at midnight--in a cab--found the young man
waiting up for him, and, taking a seat on the edge of the table, listened
unmoved to a word-picture of himself which seemed interminable. He was
only moved to speech when Mr. Wright described him as a white-whiskered
jezebel who was a disgrace to his sex, and then merely in the interests
of natural science.

"Don't you worry," he said, as the other paused from exhaustion. "It
won't be for long now."

"Long?" said Mr. Wright, panting. "First thing to-morrow morning you
have a telegram calling you back--a telegram that must be minded. D'ye
see?"

"No, I don't," said Mr. Kemp, plainly. "I'm not going back, never no
more--never! I'm going to stop here and court Mrs. Bradshaw."

Mr. Wright fought for breath. "You--you can't!" he gasped.

"I'm going to have a try," said the old man. "I'm sick of going to sea,
and it'll be a nice comfortable home for my old age. You marry Bella,
and I'll marry her mother. Happy family!"

Mr. Wright, trembling with rage, sat down to recover, and, regaining his
composure after a time, pointed out almost calmly the various
difficulties in the way.

"I've thought it all out," said Mr. Kemp, nodding. "She mustn't know I'm
not rich till after we're married; then I 'ave a letter from New Zealand
saying I've lost all my money. It's just as easy to have that letter as
the one you spoke of."

"And I'm to find you money to play the rich uncle with till you're
married, I suppose," said Mr. Wright, in a grating voice, "and then lose
Bella when Mrs. Bradshaw finds you've lost your money?"

Mr. Kemp scratched his ear. "That's your lookout," he said, at last.

"Now, look here," said Mr. Wright, with great determination. "Either yo