"Let me see, what did he get--fifteen years!"

"Fifteen years," repeated T. X., "and a very fortunate man to escape
with his life."

Sir George walked to the window and stared out on to busy Whitehall.

"I am told you are quite friendly with Kara again."

T. X. made a noise which might be taken to indicate his assent to the
statement.

"I suppose you know that gentleman has made a very heroic attempt to get
you fired," he said.

"I shouldn't wonder," said T. X. "I made as heroic an attempt to get him
hung, and one good turn deserves another. What did he do? See ministers
and people?"

"He did," said Sir George.

"He's a silly ass," responded T. X.

"I can understand all that"--the Chief Commissioner turned round--"but
what I cannot understand is your apology to him."

"There are so many things you don't understand, Sir George," said T. X.
tartly, "that I despair of ever cataloguing them."

"You are an insolent cub," growled his Chief. "Come to lunch."

"Where will you take me?" asked T. X. cautiously.

"To my club."

"I'm sorry," said the other, with elaborate politeness, "I have lunched
once at your club. Need I say more?"

He smiled, as he worked after his Chief had gone, at the recollection
of Kara's profound astonishment and the gratification he strove so
desperately to disguise.

Kara was a vain man, immensely conscious of his good looks, conscious of
his wealth. He had behaved most handsomely, for not only had he accepted
the apology, but he left nothing undone to show his desire to create a
good impression upon the man who had so grossly insulted him.

T. X. had accepted an invitation to stay a weekend at Kara's "little
place in the country," and had found there assembled everything that
the heart could desire in the way of fellowship, eminent politicians
who might conceivably be of service to an ambitious young Assistant
Commissioner of Police, beautiful ladies to interest and amuse him. Kara
had even gone to the length of engaging a theatrical company to play
"Sweet Lavender," and for this purpose the big ballroom at Hever Court
had been transformed into a theatre.

As he was undressing for bed that night T. X. remembered that he had
mentioned to Kara that "Sweet Lavender" was his favorite play, and he
realized that the entertainment was got up especially for his benefit.

In a score of other ways Kara had endeavoured to consolidate the
friendship. He gave the young Commissioner advice