ny that
remained. Armitage had not sought Shirley again. He found a room that had
been set apart for smokers, threw himself into a chair, lighted a cigar
and stared at a picture that had no interest for him whatever. He put
down his cigar after a few whiffs, and his hand went to the pocket in
which he had usually carried his cigarette case.

"Ah, Mr. Armitage, may I offer you a cigarette?"

He turned to find Chauvenet close at his side. He had not heard the man
enter, but Chauvenet had been in his thoughts and he started slightly at
finding him so near. Chauvenet held in his white-gloved hand a gold
cigarette case, which he opened with a deliberate care that displayed its
embellished side. The smooth golden surface gleamed in the light, the
helmet in blue, and the white falcon flashed in Armitage's eyes. The
meeting was clearly by intention, and a slight smile played about
Chauvenet's lips in his enjoyment of the situation. Armitage smiled up at
him in amiable acknowledgment of his courtesy, and rose.

"You are very considerate, Monsieur. I was just at the moment regretting
our distinguished host's oversight in providing cigars alone. Allow me!"

He bent forward, took the outstretched open case into his own hands,
removed a cigarette, snapped the case shut and thrust it into his
trousers pocket,--all, as it seemed, at a single stroke.

"My dear sir," began Chauvenet, white with rage.

"My dear Monsieur Chauvenet," said Armitage, striking a match, "I am
indebted to you for returning a trinket that I value highly."

The flame crept half the length of the stick while they regarded each
other; then Armitage raised it to the tip of his cigarette, lifted his
head and blew a cloud of smoke.

"Are you able to prove your property, Mr. Armitage?" demanded Chauvenet
furiously.

"My dear sir, they have a saying in this country that possession is nine
points of the law. You had it--now I have it--wherefore it must be mine!"

Chauvenet's rigid figure suddenly relaxed; he leaned against a chair with
a return of his habitual nonchalant air, and waved his hand carelessly.

"Between gentlemen--so small a matter!"

"To be sure--the merest trifle," laughed Armitage with entire good humor.

"And where a gentleman has the predatory habits of a burglar and
housebreaker--"

"Then lesser affairs, such as picking up trinkets--"

"Come naturally--quite so!" and Chauvenet twisted his mustache with an
air of immense satisfaction.