ay, do
you consider this man's statement satisfactory?" she said to them. "I do
not."

"I am far too common a man to be able to make any statement that could
satisfy a mind cultivated as yours has been," said Smilash, "but I would
'umbly pint out to you that there is a boy yonder with a telegram trying
to shove hisself through the 'iborn throng."

"Miss Wilson!" cried the boy shrilly.

She took the telegram; read it; and frowned. "We have had all our
trouble for nothing, ladies and gentlemen," she said, with suppressed
vexation. "Mrs. Trefusis says here that she has gone back to London. She
has not considered it necessary to add any explanation."

There was a general murmur of disappointment.

"Don't lose heart, ladies," said Smilash. "She may be drowned or
murdered for all we know. Anyone may send a telegram in a false name.
Perhaps it's a plant. Let's hope for your sakes that some little
accident--on the railway, for instance--may happen yet."

Miss Wilson turned upon him, glad to find someone with whom she might
justly be angry. "You had better go about your business," she said. "And
don't let me see you here again."

"This is 'ard," said Smilash plaintively. "My intentions was nothing but
good. But I know wot it is. It's that young varmint a-saying that the
young lady kissed me."

"Inspector," said Miss Wilson, "will you oblige me by seeing that he
leaves the college as soon as possible?"

"Where's my wages?" he retorted reproachfully. "Where's my lawful wages?
I am su'prised at a lady like you, chock full o' moral science and
political economy, wanting to put a poor man off. Where's your wages
fund? Where's your remuneratory capital?"

"Don't you give him anything, ma'am," said the inspector. "The money
he's had from the lady will pay him very well. Move on here, or we'll
precious soon hurry you."

"Very well," grumbled Smilash. "I bargained for ninepence, and what with
the roller, and opening the soda water, and shoving them heavy tables
about, there was a decomposition of tissue in me to the tune of two
shillings. But all I ask is the ninepence, and let the lady keep the one
and threppence as the reward of abstinence. Exploitation of labor at
the rate of a hundred and twenty-five per cent., that is. Come, give us
ninepence, and I'll go straight off."

"Here is a shilling," said Miss Wilson. "Now go."

"Threppence change!" cried Smilash. "Honesty has ever been--"

"You may keep the change."

"Y