he
laughed again, the laugh of a man who has not a care in the world.
He also gripped Malcolm Sage's hand with a heartiness that made him
wince. The others in turn shook hands in a way that caused Malcolm
Sage to wonder why America had not long since ceased to be a
Republic.

The men dropped into chairs in various parts of the room, and Rogers,
who had disappeared at a signal from Malcolm Sage, now returned with
a tray of glasses, syphons, and decanters. Soon the whole company
was drinking the health of Malcolm Sage with an earnestness which
convinced him that on the morrow there would be trouble with Colonel
Sappinger, who lived above and cherished Carlyle's hatred of sound.

"And now, Mr. Sage," said Alf Pond, "we want to know how you found
Charley. He won't tell us anythink. Wonderful, I call it," he added,
and there was a murmur of assent from the others, as they proceeded
to light the cigars that Rogers handed round.

"It was not very difficult," said Malcolm Sage, stuffing tobacco
into his pipe from a terra-cotta jar beside him. As he applied a
light to the bowl the others exchanged glances.

"From the first," he continued, "it was obvious that some message,
or letter, had been conveyed to our friend Burns." He gazed across
at the champion, who looked uncomfortable.

"As he had not mentioned the fact to any of his friends," continued
Malcolm Sage, a little slyly, "it seemed obvious to assume that
there was a lady in the case."

Alf Pond looked reproachfully at Burns, who reddened beneath the
united gaze of seven pairs of eyes.

"That the appointment had been for the evening," proceeded Malcolm
Sage, "was obvious from the fact that Burns disappeared in the blue
suit he always changed into after the day's work."

Alf Pond looked across at Mr. Doulton, nodding his approval of the
reasoning.

"It was Kitty, or I thought it was," burst out Burns. "She said
something terrible had happened and that she must see me," he added.

Kitty Graham was shortly to become Mrs. Charley Burns, but during
the period of training she had been rigorously excluded from all
intercourse with her fiance by order of the autocratic Alf Pond.

"The meeting was arranged for the further side of the large clump of
rhododendrons, which acted as a screen," continued Malcolm Sage.
"When Burns arrived there, he saw a girl standing a little distance
away. Before he could reach her, however, he was seized and a
chloroformed pad held over