and truly you've come to the wrong 'ouse
this time. Here, stand to one side!" he commanded, as a lady in the
costume of La Pompadour, followed by an Old English Gentleman with an
anachronistic Hebrew nose, swept past me into the hall. He bowed
deferentially while he mastered their names, "Mr. and Mrs. Levi-Levy!" he
cried, and a second footman came forward to escort them up the stairs. To
convince myself that this was my own house I stared hard at a bust of
Havelock--my late uncle's chief, and for religious as well as military
reasons his _beau ideal_ of a British warrior.

The young footman resumed. "When you've had a good look round and seen
all you want to see--"

"I am Mr. Richardson," I interrupted; "and up to a few minutes ago I
supposed myself to be the owner of this house. Here--if you wish to
assure yourself--is my card."

His face fell instantly, fell so completely and woefully that I could not
help feeling sorry for him. "I beg pardon, sir--most 'umbly, I do indeed.
You will do me the justice, sir--I had no idea, as _per_ description, sir,
being led to expect a different kind of gentleman altogether.

"You had my telegram, then?"

"Telegram, sir?" He hesitated, searching his memory.

"Certainly--a telegram sent by me at one o'clock this afternoon, or
thereabouts--"

Here, with an apology, he left me to attend to a new arrival--a Yellow
Dwarf with a decidedly music-hall manner, who nudged him in the stomach
and fell upon his neck exclaiming, "My long-lost brother!"

"Cert'nly, sir. You will find the _company_ upstairs, sir."
The young man disengaged himself with admirable dignity and turned again
to me. "A telegram did you say--"

"Addressed to 'Trewlove, 402, Cromwell Road.'"

"William!" He summoned another footman forward. "This gentleman is
inquiring for a telegram sent here this afternoon, addressed 'Trewlove'."

"There was such a telegram," said William. "I heard Mr. Horrex
a-discussing of it in the pantry. The mistress took the name for a
telegraphic address, and sent it back to the office, saying there must be
some mistake."

"But I sent it myself!"

"Indeed, sir?"

"It contained an order to get my room ready."

"This gentleman is Mr. Richardson," explained the younger footman.

"Indeed, sir?" William's face brightened. "In that case there's no 'arm
done, for your room is ready, and I laid out your dress myself.
Mr. 'Erbert gave particular instructions before going out