rer than the sun.

Before going out, Richard crossed to a writing cabinet and pressed a
button, the white disk whereof showed in its mahogany side. It was not
the bell he used for the wheat-hued Matzai, and owned a note peculiar to
itself. As though in response came Mr. Gwynn, irreproachable, austere.

Upon the advent of Mr. Gwynn, one might have observed sundry amazing
phenomena, innocent at that. Mr. Gwynn did not sit down, but stood in
the middle of the room. On the careless other hand, Richard did not
arise from the chair into which he had flung himself, but sat with his
hat on, puffing blue wreaths and tapping his foot with a rattan.

"Mr. Gwynn," quoth Richard, "you will catch the four-o'clock limited to
New York. Talon & Trehawke, Attorneys, Temple Court, have on sale a
majority of the stock of the _Daily Tory_. Buy it; notify those in
present charge of the editorial and business departments of the new
proprietorship. There will be no changes in the personnel of the paper
so far as refers to New York. You are to say, however, that you will
give me charge in Washington. Talon & Trehawke can put you in control,
and forty-eight hours should be enough to carry out my plans. The
balance of the stock you will buy up at your leisure. This is Tuesday;
have the bureau here ready for me by Thursday evening."

Mr. Gwynn inclined his head.

"Can you give me, sir, some notion of what Talon & Trehawke are to
have?" asked Mr. Gwynn.

"Their letter addressed to you--here it is--says that sixty per cent. of
the stock can be had for two millions eight hundred thousand."

"Very good, sir," and Mr. Gwynn bowed deeply.

Richard pulled on his gloves to depart, whereat Mr. Pickwick yelped
frantically from his cushion. Richard tapped Mr. Pickwick with the
lacquered rattan.

"Old man," said Richard, "I am going to take a look at the lady I love."
Mr. Pickwick moaned querulously, while Richard sought the street.

Richard, the day before, dispatched a note and a card to Mrs.
Hanway-Harley and had been told in reply that he might call to-day at
three. Richard decided to repair to the club, and wait for three
o'clock.

Richard, during his week in Washington, had found a deserted corner in
the club and pre-empted it. At those times when he honored the club with
his presence, he occupied this vantage point. From it he was given both
a view of the street and a fair survey of the apartment itself. No one
approached him; his atmosphe