. Brace, the Honourable Jim lived
in a single room.

"No, Madam, I am afraid he is not in," was the answer here. "I am afraid
I couldn't tell you, Madam. I don't know at all. Will you leave any
message?"

"No, thank you."

It didn't seem worth while, for, as Mr. Brace said, he's never there.
He's always to be found in some expensive haunt.

Next I rang up the abode in Mount Street of the cobra-woman, the classic
dancer, Lady Golightly-Long. Her maid informed me, rebukefully, that her
ladyship wasn't up yet; her ladyship wasn't awake. I left a message, and
the maid will ring me up here.... There may be something to hope for
from that, but I shall have to wait. I seem to have waited years!

Now, in desperation, I have got on to Lord Fourcastles's house.

"No; his lordship has not been at home for several days."

I suppose this is the man speaking.

"No. I couldn't say where his lordship is likely to be found, I'm sure."

Oh, these people! These friends of the Honourable Jim's, who all seem
to share his habit of melting into some landscape where they are not to
be found! Never mind any of them, though. The question is, Miss Million!
Where have they put her, among them? What have they done with my
child-heiress of a mistress?

I had hoped to receive some explanation of the mystery by this morning's
post. Nothing! Nothing but a sheaf of circulars and advertisements and
catalogues for Miss Million, and one grey note for Miss Million's maid.
It was addressed to "Miss Smith."

I sighed, half-resentfully, as I tore it open. Under any other
circumstances it would have marked such a red-letter day in my life.

I knew what it was. The first love-letter I had ever received. Of
course, from Mr. Reginald Brace. He writes from what used to be "Next
Door," in Putney, S.W. He says:

"MY DEAR MISS LOVELACE:--I wanted to put 'Beatrice,' since I
know that is your beautiful name, but I did not wish to offend
you. I am afraid that I was much too precipitate to-night when
I told you of the feeling I have had for you ever since I first
saw you. As I told you, I know this is the greatest presumption
on my part. Had it not been for the very exceptional
circumstances I should not have ventured to say anything at
all----"

Oh, dear! I wish this didn't remind me of the Honourable Jim's remark,
"Curious idea, to put in a deaf-and-dumb chap as manager of a bank!" For
he is really so good and straight