good many
people who don't know what to do with their money. We should like to
direct their attention to half-a-dozen excellent and most deserving
charities which we can personally recommend, and whose accounts will
always stand the most vigorous examination."

"H'm! That's pretty strong," the first speaker remarked. "I should
think that that ought to stay the flow of subscriptions."

Lord Arranmore, who was standing on the hearthrug smoking a cigarette,
joined languidly in the conversation.

You think that Brooks ought to take some notice of Lavilette's
impudence, then?"

"Well, I'm afraid his not doing so looks rather fishy," the first
speaker remarked. "That thousand pounds note must have been a sort of a
myth."

"I think not," Lord Arranmore remarked, quietly. "I ought to know, for
I sent it myself,"

Every man straightened himself in his easy-chair. There was a little
thrill of interest.

"You're joking, Arranmore."

"Not I! I've sent him three amounts--anonymously."

"Well, I'd no idea that sort of thing was in your line," one of the men
exclaimed.

"More it is," Arranmore answered. "Personally, I don't believe in
charity--in any modern application of it at any rate. But this man
Brooks is a decent sort."

"You know who Brooks is, then?"

"Certainly. He was my agent for a short time in Medchester."

Mr. Hennibul, who was one of the men sitting round, doubled his copy of
Verity up and beat the air with it.

"I knew I'd heard the name," he exclaimed. "Why, I've met him down at
Enton. Nice-looking young fellow."

Arranmore nodded.

"Yes. That was Brooks."

Mr. Hennibul's face beamed.

"Great Scott, what a haul!" he exclaimed. "Why, you've got old
Lavilette on toast--you've got him for suing damages too. If this is
why Brooks has been hanging back--just to let him go far enough--by
Jove, he's a smart chap."

"I don't fancy Brooks has any idea of the sort," Lord Arranmore
answered. "All the same I think that Lavilette must be stopped and made
to climb down."

Curiously enough he met Brooks the same afternoon in Lady Caroom's
drawing-room.

"This is fortunate," he remarked. "I wished for a few minutes'
conversation with you."

"I am at your service," Brooks answered, quietly.

The room was fairly full, so they moved a little on one side. Lord
Arranmore for a moment or two studied his son's face in silence.

"You show signs of the struggle," he remarked.

"I have been overworked," B