the far end of the main line departure
platform, Waterloo Station, 2 to 4 P.M. to-day.'"

"Is that in print?" cried Pitman. "Let me see it! Bent? It must be Dent!
_Something to my advantage?_ Mr. Finsbury, excuse me offering a word of
caution; I am aware how strangely this must sound in your ears, but
there are domestic reasons why this little circumstance might perhaps be
better kept between ourselves. Mrs. Pitman--my dear sir, I assure you
there is nothing dishonourable in my secrecy; the reasons are domestic,
merely domestic; and I may set your conscience at rest when I assure you
all the circumstances are known to our common friend, your excellent
nephew, Mr. Michael, who has not withdrawn from me his esteem."

"A word is enough, Mr. Pitman," said Joseph, with one of his Oriental
reverences.

Half an hour later, the drawing-master found Michael in bed and reading
a book, the picture of good-humour and repose.

"Hillo, Pitman," he said, laying down his book, "what brings you here at
this inclement hour? Ought to be in church, my boy!"

"I have little thought of church to-day, Mr. Finsbury," said the
drawing-master. "I am on the brink of something new, sir." And he
presented the advertisement.

"Why, what is this?" cried Michael, sitting suddenly up. He studied it
for half a minute with a frown. "Pitman, I don't care about this
document a particle," said he.

"It will have to be attended to, however," said Pitman.

"I thought you'd had enough of Waterloo," returned the lawyer. "Have you
started a morbid craving? You've never been yourself anyway since you
lost that beard. I believe now it was where you kept your senses."

"Mr. Finsbury," said the drawing-master, "I have tried to reason this
matter but, and, with your permission, I should like to lay before you
the results."

"Fire away," said Michael; "but please, Pitman, remember it's Sunday,
and let's have no bad language."

"There are three views open to us," began Pitman. "First this may be
connected with the barrel; second, it may be connected with Mr.
Semitopolis's statue; and third, it may be from my wife's brother, who
went to Australia. In the first case, which is of course possible, I
confess the matter would be best allowed to drop."

"The court is with you there, Brother Pitman," said Michael.

"In the second," continued the other, "it is plainly my duty to leave no
stone unturned for the recovery of the lost antique."

"My dear fellow, Se