the
arrested love for me suddenly gushing into his heart. "I had no idea of
it. In Heaven's name, Simon, why didn't you tell me? My dear old Simon."

Tears rushed into his eyes and he gripped my hand until I winced. I put
my other hand on his shoulder and laughed with a contorted visage.

"My good Dale, the moribund are fragile."

"Oh, Lord, man, how can you make a jest of it?"

"Would you have me drive about in a hearse, instead of a cab, by way of
preparation?"

"But what have the doctors told you?" asked Lola.

"My two dear people!" I cried, "for goodness' sake don't fall over me
in this way. I'm not going to die to-morrow unless my cook poisons me or
I'm struck by lightning. I'm going to live for a deuce of a time yet.
A couple of weeks at least. And you'll very much oblige me by not
whispering a word abroad about what you've heard this afternoon. It
would cause me infinite annoyance. And meanwhile I suggest to you,
Dale, as the lawyers say, that you have been impolite enough not to say
how-do-you-do to your hostess."

He turned to her rather sheepishly, and apologised. My news had bowled
him over, he declared. He shook hands with her, laughed and walked
Adolphus about on his hind legs.

"But where have you dropped from?" she asked.

"Berlin. I came straight through. Didn't you get my wire?"

"No."

"I sent one."

"I never got it."

He swung his arms about in a fine rage.

"If ever I get hold of that son of Satan I'll murder him. He was covered
up to his beastly eyebrows in silver lace and swords and whistles and
medals and things. He walked up and down the railway station as if he
owned the German navy and ran trains as a genteel hobby. I gave him ten
marks to send the telegram. The miserable beast has sneaked the lot.
I'll get at the railway company through the Embassy and have the brute
sacked and put in prison. Did you ever hear of such a skunk?"

"He must have thought you a very simple and charming young Englishman,"
said I.

"You've done the same thing yourself!" he retorted indignantly.

"Pardon me," said I. "If I do send a telegram in that loose way, I
choose a humble and honest-looking porter and give him the exact fee for
the telegram and a winning smile."

"Rot!" said Dale, and turning to Lola--"He has demoralised the whole
railway system of Europe with his tips. I've seen him give a franc to
the black greasy devil that bangs at the carriage wheels with a bit of
iron. He would give