ce passed on smiling. A conversation with Inspector Jacks
seemed always to inspire him. It was a fine afternoon and Pall Mall
was crowded. In a few moments he came face to face with Somerfield, who
greeted him a little gloomily.

"Sir Charles," the Prince said, "I hope that I shall have the pleasure
of meeting you at Devenham?"

"I am not sure," Somerfield answered. "I have been asked, but I promised
some time ago to go up to Scotland. I have a third share in a river
there, and the season for salmon is getting on."

"I am sorry," the Prince declared. "I have no doubt, however, but that
Miss Morse will induce you to change your mind. I should regret your
absence the more," he continued, "because this, I fear, is the last
visit which I shall be paying in this country."

Somerfield was genuinely interested.

"You are really going home?" he asked eagerly.

"Almost at once," the Prince answered.

"Only for a time, I suppose?" Somerfield continued.

The Prince shook his head.

"On the contrary," he said, "I imagine that this will be a long goodbye.
I think I can promise you that if ever I reach Japan I shall remain
there. My work in this hemisphere will be accomplished."

Somerfield looked at him with the puzzled air of a man who is face to
face with a problem which he cannot solve.

"You'll forgive my putting it so plainly, Prince," he remarked, "but
do you mean to say that after having lived over here you could possibly
settle down again in Japan?"

The Prince returned for a moment his companion's perplexed gaze. Then
his lips parted, his eyes shone. He laughed softly, gracefully, with
genuine mirth.

"Sir Charles," he said, "I shall not forget that question. I think that
of all the Englishmen whom I have met you are the most English of all.
When I think of your great country, as I often shall do, of her sons and
her daughters, I will promise you that to me you shall always represent
the typical man of your race and fortune."

The Prince left his companion loitering along Pall Mall, still a little
puzzled. He called a taxi and drove to Devenham House. The great drawing
rooms were almost empty. Lady Grace was just saying goodbye to some
parting guests. She welcomed the Prince with a little flush of pleasure.

"I find you alone?" he remarked.

"My mother is opening a bazaar somewhere," Lady Grace said. "She will be
home very soon. Do let me give you some tea."

"It is my excuse for coming," the Prince adm