ur position gives
you an advantage, but you are trying to make too much use of it. I had
the most perfect assurances that the old man would be treated kindly,
and I know that nobody has any intention to do anything but keep him out
of mischief."

I am very much ashamed of it now, and I think I was even a little
conscious of shame about it then, but I felt inclined to comprehend the
man, to fathom his depths of self-excuse, and I bore with his evasions
and his explanations in a spirit of savage banter.

"Come," I said, "we shall get to understand each other before we part.
What were you paid?"

"In money?" he asked, flicking the ash from his cigar and settling
himself with ostentatious pretence of ease. "In money--nothing."

At that very minute a knock sounded at the door, and mechanically
consulting my watch, I saw that it was already nearly midnight. I had
no reason to expect a visitor at that hour, and I stood listening in
silence, while Hinge answered the summons at the door. There was a
murmur of voices outside, and when I looked at Brunow I saw him start
suddenly forward as if in the act to rise. For a second or two he set in
an attitude of enforced attention, leaning forward with a hand on either
arm of the chair, as if prepared to spring to his feet; but observing
that my eye was upon him, he sank back again and began to smoke once
more. This time nothing but the rapidity with which he puffed at his
cigar was left to indicate his discomposure.

Hinge rapped at the door, and when I bade him enter, came in followed by
a stranger, whose aspect was simply and purely business-like. This man
bowed to me and then to Brunow, and receiving no response from either of
us, stood for a moment as if embarrassed.

"Captain Fyffe, I believe?" he said, rather awkwardly.

"That is my name," I answered. "What is your business?"

"I beg pardon for coming here, sir," he responded, "but I have been
waiting all night to find the Honorable Mr. Brunow, and I have only just
heard that he was here. Can I have a word with you, sir?" He turned to
Brunow as he spoke. "Sorry to trouble you, sir, but you remember what
you promised me. I took your word of honor, sir, and I've made myself
personally responsible."

"Damn it all!" cried Brunow, rising, with a whiter face than ever; "do
you suppose that a gentleman is to be badgered about a thing of this
kind at this hour of the night in another gentleman's rooms? Wait
outside. Go down-st