ecretary.

"Oh, I say," he exclaimed, in remonstrance, "he's making in for your
private wharf."

The Governor was rearranging the focus of the glass with nervous
fingers. "I believe," he said, "no--yes--upon my word, there are--there
are ladies in that launch!"

"Ladies, sir!" The secretary threw a hasty glance at the binocular, but
it was in immediate use.

The clatter of the lawn-mower ceased suddenly, and the relief of its
silence caused the Governor to lower his eyes. He saw the lawn-mower
lying prostrate on the grass. The vagrant had vanished.

There was a sharp tinkle of bells, and the launch slipped up to the
wharf and halted as softly as a bicycle. A man in a yachting-suit jumped
from her, and making some laughing speech to the two women in the stern,
walked briskly across the lawn, taking a letter from his pocket as he
came. Sir Charles awaited him gravely; the occupants of the launch had
seen him, and it was too late to retreat.

"Sir Charles Greville, I believe," said the yachtsman. He bowed, and ran
lightly up the steps. "I am Mr. Robert Collier, from New York," he said.
"I have a letter to you from your ambassador at Washington. If you'll
pardon me, I'll present it in person. I had meant to leave it, but
seeing you--" He paused, and gave the letter in his hand to Sir Charles,
who waved him towards his library.

Sir Charles scowled at the letter through his monocle, and then shook
hands with his visitor. "I am very glad to see you, Mr. Collier," he
said. "He says here you are preparing a book on our colonies in the West
Indies." He tapped the letter with his monocle. "I am sure I shall be
most happy to assist you with any information in my power."

"Well, I am writing a book--yes," Mr. Collier observed, doubtfully,
"but it's a logbook. This trip I am on pleasure bent, and I also wish
to consult with you on a personal matter. However, that can wait." He
glanced out of the windows to where the launch lay in the sun. "My wife
came ashore with me, Sir Charles," he said, "so that in case there was
a Lady Greville, Mrs. Collier could call on her, and we could ask if you
would waive etiquette and do us the honor to dine with us to-night on
the yacht--that is, if you are not engaged."

Sir Charles smiled. "There is no Lady Greville," he said, "and I
personally do not think I am engaged elsewhere." He paused in thought,
as though to make quite sure he was not. "No," he added, "I have no
other engagement. I