of
India--leered at me, its edges generously defined with whitewash. Very
trying.

My good host was greatly concerned, and begged to be allowed to take
the damaged headgear away and have it brushed. After a little I
consented, promising to walk round and look at the baths while he was
gone. The next moment he had disappeared.

I laid my stick and gloves on a glass-topped table and looked about me.
Never before had I seen so many baths gathered together. Large and
small, deep and shallow, normal and abnormal, they stood orderly in
long lines. The more elaborate ones, fitted with screens and showers,
douches, etc., stood a little apart upon a baize-covered dais, bright
with their glistening pipes and rows of taps. And in an alcove, all
glorious, electric light burning above its gold-lacquered fittings,
reposed the bath of baths, a veritable monarch, with his attendant
basin, marble-topped table, gilded towel-rails, etc., etc.

Attracted by the aristocracy upon the dais, I was proceeding to stroll
humbly in their direction, when I heard the sound of footsteps. The
next moment a girl stepped lightly between great sliding iron doors,
which led obviously from an adjoining chamber on the same floor.

Very smart she was, in a black cloth coat with ermine collar and cuffs.
On her head was a trim black hat from which a fine brooch was blazing.
Save that she was fair, and that her feet flashed as she walked, I
could see little more.

For a moment the new-comer hesitated, looking about her. Then she came
towards me.

"Oh," she said. "I want to choose a bath."

For an instant I looked at her. Then I remembered that I was hatless,
stickless, gloveless.

I bowed.

"Certainly, madam. What sort of bath do you require?"

She was looking at me now--narrowly rather. Quickly she swung round
and glanced about the great hall. Then she spoke, somewhat uneasily.

"Er--if you would show me some baths with showers and things, please--"

"With pleasure, madam. Will you come this way?"

I preceded her in the direction of the great ones.

"Now this," I said, laying my hand familiarly on the smooth edge of one
of the grandes dames, "this is 'The Duchess.' Very popular, madam.
She may not exactly figure in Society, but I can assure you that every
morning half Society figures in her." I glanced at the girl to see an
amused smile struggling with grave suspicion in her eyes. I went on
hurriedly. "We've been selling a