day. I'll
dress first, and telephone to her afterwards. I'd better be getting
dressed, by the way. The work I've got to do can't be done in pyjamas.
I wish it could; for bed's the place for me. My wits aren't quite as
clear as I could wish them to deal with an awkward business like this.
Well, I must do the best I can with them."

He yawned and went to the bedroom, leaving the pocket-book on the table.

"Bring my shaving-water, Charolais, and shave me," he said, pausing;
and he went into the bedroom and shut the door.

"Ah," said Victoire sadly, "what a pity it is! A few years ago he would
have gone to the Crusades; and to-day he steals coronets. What a pity
it is!"

"I think myself that the best thing we can do is to pack up our
belongings," said Charolais. "And I don't think we've much time to do
it either. This particular game is at an end, you may take it from me."

"I hope to goodness it is: I want to get back to the country," said
Victoire.

He took up the tray; and they went out of the room. On the landing they
separated; she went upstairs and he went down. Presently he came up
with the shaving water and shaved his master; for in the house in
University Street he discharged the double functions of valet and
butler. He had just finished his task when there came a ring at the
front-door bell.

"You'd better go and see who it is," said Lupin.

"Bernard is answering the door," said Charolais. "But perhaps I'd
better keep an eye on it myself; one never knows."

He put away the razor leisurely, and went. On the stairs he found
Bonavent, mounting--Bonavent, disguised in the livery and fierce
moustache of a porter from the Ritz.

"Why didn't you come to the servants' entrance?" said Charolais, with
the truculent air of the servant of a duke and a stickler for his
master's dignity.

"I didn't know that there was one," said Bonavent humbly. "Well, you
ought to have known that there was; and it's plain enough to see. What
is it you want?" said Charolais.

"I've brought a letter--a letter for the Duke of Charmerace," said
Bonavent.

"Give it to me," said Charolais. "I'll take it to him."

"No, no; I'm to give it into the hands of the Duke himself and to
nobody else," said Bonavent.

"Well, in that case, you'll have to wait till he's finished dressing,"
said Charolais.

They went on up to the stairs into the ante-room. Bonavent was walking
straight into the smoking-room.

"Here! where are you going to?