lay, flushed scarlet as he read these
words, and for one instant looked as if he had rather flee our
presence than answer Joe Smithers's nonchalant glance of
inquiry.

"'I have given my word and will keep it,' he said at last, but
with a look in my direction that sent me reluctantly back to
my retreat. 'I don't suppose you want names,' he went on,
'that is, if anything I have to tell is of a delicate nature?'

"'O no,' answered the other, 'only facts and places.'

"'I don't think places are necessary either,' he returned. 'I
will tell you what I did and that must serve you. I did not
promise to give number and street.'

"'Well, well,' Joe exclaimed; 'earn your fifty, that is all.
Show that you remember where you were on the night of'--and
with an admirable show of indifference he pretended to consult
the paper between them--'the seventeenth of July, 1851, and I
shall be satisfied.'

"'I was at the club for one thing,' said Mr. T----; 'then I went
to see a lady friend, where I stayed till eleven. She wore a
blue muslin---- What is that?'

"I had betrayed myself by a quick movement which sent a glass
tumbler crashing to the floor. Helen Zabriskie had worn a
blue muslin on that same night. I had noted it when I stood
on the balcony watching her and her husband.

"'That noise?' It was Joe who was speaking. 'You don't know
Reuben as well as I do or you wouldn't ask. It is his
practice, I am sorry to say, to accentuate his pleasure in
draining my bottles, by dropping a glass at every third one.'

"Mr. T---- went on.

"'She was a married woman and I thought she loved me; but--and
this is the greatest proof I can offer you that I am giving
you a true account of that night--she had not had the slightest
idea of the extent of my passion, and only consented to see me
at all because she thought, poor thing, that a word from her
would set me straight, and rid her of attentions that were
fast becoming obnoxious. A sorry figure for a fellow to cut
who has not been without his triumphs; but you caught me on
the most detestable date in my calendar, and----'

"There is where he stopped being interesting, so I will not
waste time by quoting further. And now what reply shall I make
when Joe Smithers asks me double his usual price,