ge!"

He gave her no time to protest. Her skates were off, she was on her way to
her carriage, and he was striking out again for the middle of the lake
before she had time to collect her wits.

He took out his watch and looked at the time. It was nearly a quarter-past
four. Then he came up to Escott, who by this time was the only other soul
on the ice.

"About time we were going in," said Escott.

"Give me half-an-hour more. I'll show you how to do that vine you
admired."

"All right," assented the doctor.

A minute or two later Mr Beveridge, as if struck by a sudden reflection,
exclaimed, "By Jove, there's that poor devil Moggridge freezing to death
on shore. Can't you manage to look after so dangerous a lunatic yourself?
It is his tea-time, too."

"Hallo, so he is," replied Escott; "I'll send him up."

And so there were only left the two men on the ice.

For a little the lesson went on, and presently, leaving the doctor to
practise, Mr Beveridge skated away by himself. He first paused opposite a
seat on the bank over which hung Dr Escott's great fur coat. This
spectacle appeared to afford him peculiar pleasure. Then he looked at his
watch. It was half-past four. He shut the watch with a click, threw a
glance at his pupil, and struck out for the island. If the doctor had been
looking, he might have seen him round it in the gloaming.

Dr Escott, leaning far on his outside edge, met him as he returned.

"What's that under your coat?" he asked.

"A picture I intend to ask your opinion on presently," replied Mr
Beveridge; and he added, with his most charming air, "But now, before we
go in, let me give you a ride on one of these chairs, doctor."

They started off, the pace growing faster and faster, and presently Dr
Escott saw that they were going behind the island.

"Look out for the spring!" he cried.

"It must be bearing now," replied Mr Beveridge, striking out harder than
ever; "they have taken away the board."

"All right," said the doctor, "on you go."

As he spoke he felt a violent push, and the chair, slewing round as it
went, flew on its course unguided. Mr Beveridge's skates rasped on the ice
with a spray of white powder as he stopped himself suddenly. Ahead of him
there was a rending crack, and Dr Escott and his chair disappeared. Mr
Beveridge laughed cheerfully, and taking from under his coat a board with
the legend "Danger" printed in large characters across its face, he placed
it beside th