a congenial task in
describing the valet's thought-processes when the bell roused him from
a refreshing sleep at a few minutes after three a.m. However, by the
time he entered his employer's room he was his own calm self again.

"Good morning, sir," he remarked equably. "I fear that it will be the
matter of a few minutes to prepare your shaving water. I was not aware,"
said Webster in manly apology for having been found wanting, "that you
intended rising so early."

"Webster," said Mr. Bennett, "I'm a dying man!"

"Indeed, sir?"

"A dying man!" repeated Mr. Bennett.

"Very good, sir. Which of your suits would you wish me to lay out?"

Mr. Bennett had the feeling that something was going wrong with the
scene.

"Webster," he said, "this morning we had an unfortunate
misunderstanding. I'm sorry."

"Pray don't mention it, sir."

"I was to blame. Webster, you have been a faithful servant! You have
stuck to me, Webster, through thick and thin!" said Mr. Bennett, who had
half persuaded himself by this time that the other had been in the
family for years instead of having been engaged at a registry-office a
little less than a month ago. "Through thick and thin!" repeated Mr.
Bennett.

"I have endeavoured to give satisfaction, sir."

"I want to reward you, Webster."

"Thank you very much, sir."

"Take my trousers!"

Webster raised a deprecating hand.

"No, no, sir, thanking you exceedingly, I couldn't really! You will need
them, sir, and I assure you I have an ample supply."

"Take my trousers," repeated Mr. Bennett, "and feel in the right-hand
pocket. There is some money there."

"I'm sure I'm very much obliged, sir," said Webster, beginning for the
first time to feel that there was a bright side. He embarked upon the
treasure-hunt. "The sum is sixteen pounds eleven shillings and
threepence, sir."

"Keep it!"

"Thank you very much, sir. Would there be anything further, sir?"

"Why, no," said Mr. Bennett, feeling dissatisfied nevertheless. There
had been a lack of the deepest kind of emotion in the interview, and his
yearning soul resented it. "Why, no."

"Good-night, sir."

"Stop a moment. Which is Mr. Mortimer's room?"

"Mr. Mortimer, senior, sir? It is at the further end of this passage, on
the left facing the main staircase. Good-night, sir. I am extremely
obliged. I will bring you your shaving-water when you ring."

Mr. Bennett, left alone, mused for awhile, then, rising from his bed,
put o