pay. So now, Phil, you can appreciate the results of my
attitude toward him."

"I can, indeed," said Selwyn thoughtfully.

"I think I've made a man of him," persisted Austin.

"He's certainly a manly fellow," nodded Selwyn.

"You admit it?"

"Certainly, Austin."

"Well, I'm glad of it. You thought me harsh--oh, I know you did!--but I
don't blame you. I knew what I was about. Why, Phil, if I hadn't taken
the firm stand I took that boy would have been running to Nina and
Eileen--he did go to his sister once, but he never dared try it
again!--and he'd probably have borrowed money of Neergard and--by Jove!
he might even have come to you to get him out of his scrapes!"

"Oh, scarcely that," protested Selwyn with grave humour.

"That's all you know about it," nodded Austin, wise-eyed, smoking
steadily. "And all I have to say is that it's fortunate for everybody
that I stood my ground when he came around looking for trouble. For
you're just the sort of a man, Phil, who'd be likely to strip yourself
if that young cub came howling for somebody to pay his debts of honour.
Admit it, now; you know you are."

But Selwyn only smiled and looked into the fire.

After a few moments' silence Austin said curiously: "You're a frugal
bird. You used to be fastidious. Do you know that coat of yours is
nearly the limit?"

"Nonsense," said Selwyn, colouring.

"It is. . . . What do you do with your money? Invest it, of course; but
you ought to let me place it. You never spend any; you should have a
decent little sum tucked away by this time. Do your Chaosite experiments
cost anything now?"

"No; the Government is conducting them."

"Good business. What does the bally Government think of the powder,
now?"

"I can't tell yet," said Selwyn listlessly. "There's a plate due to
arrive to-morrow; it represents a section of the side armour of one of
the new 22,000-ton battleships. . . . I hope to crack it."

"Oh!--with a bursting charge?"

Selwyn nodded, and rested his head on his hand.

A little later Austin cast the remains of his cigar from him,
straightened up, yawned, patted his waistcoat, and looked wisely at the
cat.

"I'm going to bed," he announced. "Boots is to bring back Nina
and Eileen. . . . You don't mind, do you, Phil? I've a busy day
to-morrow. . . . There's Scotch over there--you know where things are.
Ring if you have a sudden desire for anything funny like peacock
feathers on toast. There's cold grouse somewh