was conducted to Mr. Fairlie's apartments. He was in
his usual room, his usual chair, and his usual aggravating state of
mind and body. When I went in, his valet was standing before him,
holding up for inspection a heavy volume of etchings, as long and as
broad as my office writing-desk. The miserable foreigner grinned in
the most abject manner, and looked ready to drop with fatigue, while
his master composedly turned over the etchings, and brought their
hidden beauties to light with the help of a magnifying glass.

"You very best of good old friends," said Mr. Fairlie, leaning back
lazily before he could look at me, "are you QUITE well? How nice of you
to come here and see me in my solitude. Dear Gilmore!"

I had expected that the valet would be dismissed when I appeared, but
nothing of the sort happened. There he stood, in front of his master's
chair, trembling under the weight of the etchings, and there Mr.
Fairlie sat, serenely twirling the magnifying glass between his white
fingers and thumbs.

"I have come to speak to you on a very important matter," I said, "and
you will therefore excuse me, if I suggest that we had better be alone."

The unfortunate valet looked at me gratefully. Mr. Fairlie faintly
repeated my last three words, "better be alone," with every appearance
of the utmost possible astonishment.

I was in no humour for trifling, and I resolved to make him understand
what I meant.

"Oblige me by giving that man permission to withdraw," I said, pointing
to the valet.

Mr. Fairlie arched his eyebrows and pursed up his lips in sarcastic
surprise.

"Man?" he repeated. "You provoking old Gilmore, what can you possibly
mean by calling him a man? He's nothing of the sort. He might have
been a man half an hour ago, before I wanted my etchings, and he may be
a man half an hour hence, when I don't want them any longer. At
present he is simply a portfolio stand. Why object, Gilmore, to a
portfolio stand?"

"I DO object. For the third time, Mr. Fairlie, I beg that we may be
alone."

My tone and manner left him no alternative but to comply with my
request. He looked at the servant, and pointed peevishly to a chair at
his side.

"Put down the etchings and go away," he said. "Don't upset me by
losing my place. Have you, or have you not, lost my place? Are you
sure you have not? And have you put my hand-bell quite within my reach?
Yes? Then why the devil don't you go?"

The valet went out.