ar lady," Mason sighed. "We five are, alas! all in the
same box. We must look outside for relief. Since I have studied your
friend's physiognomy, Miss Bultiwell, I am convinced that an
acquaintance with him is necessary to our future welfare. I can see
philanthropy written all over his engaging countenance."

"Mr. Pratt isn't a fool," Sybil observed drily.

"Neither are we fools," Mason rejoined. "Besides," he went on, "you
must remember that in any little exchange of wits which might take
place between Mr. Pratt and ourselves, the conditions are scarcely
equal. We have nothing to lose and he has everything. He has money--a
very great deal of money--and we are paupers."

"There are other things to be lost besides money," Sybil reminded him.

"I guess not," Hartwell intervened, with real fervour,--"nothing else
that counts, anyway."

They watched Jacob longingly as he left the restaurant,--personable,
self-possessed, and with the crudities of his too immaculate toilet
subdued by experience. His almost wistful glance towards Sybil met
with an unexpected reward. She bowed, if not with cordiality, at any
rate without any desire to evade him. For a single moment he
hesitated, as though about to stop, and the faces of her friends
seemed to sharpen, as though the prey were already thrown to them.
Perhaps it was instinct which induced him to reconsider his idea. At
any rate he passed out, and Dauncey pressed his arm as they emerged
into the street.

"I have never been favourably impressed with Miss Bultiwell," the
latter observed, "but I like the look of her friends still less."

"Sharks," Jacob murmured gloomily, "sharks, every one of them, and it
wouldn't be the faintest use in the world my telling her so."

* * * * *

The opportunity, at any rate, came a few days later, when Jacob found
amongst his letters one which he read and reread with varying
sensations. It was in Sybil's handwriting and dated from Number 100,
Russell Square.

Dear Mr. Pratt,

If you are smitten with the new craze and are thinking of
having dancing lessons, will you patronise my little
endeavour? Lady Powers, who was with me at the Milan the
other day, and I, have a class at this address every
Thursday, and give private lessons any day by appointment.
Perhaps you would like to telephone--1324, Museum. I shall
be there any morning after eleven o'clock.