R SIR,_

_In case the fact has not already come to your notice, we hasten to
inform you that as a result of the drawing, which took place on Monday
last, one of the Premium Bonds, which we yesterday dispatched to you
per registered post, has won the first prize of fr. 500,000 (five
hundred thousand francs)._

_By way of confirmation, we beg to enclose a cutting from the official
Bulletin._

_We should, perhaps, point out that, in all announcements of the
results of drawings, the '0' or 'zero,' which for some reason
invariably precedes the number of a Premium Bond, is disregarded._

_Awaiting the pleasure of your instructions,_

_We beg to remain, dear sir,
Your obedient servants,_
----------

* * * * *

It was perhaps five hours later that my memory again responded, and I
turned to Adele.

"The dam burst," said I, "at the very moment when you were going to
tell me what you had been about to say when the first tire went outside
Bidache. Sounds like 'The House that Jack built,' doesn't it?"

"Oh, I know," said Adele, laughing. "But it's no good now. I was
going to say----"

The door opened, and Falcon came in with a wire.

I picked up the form and weighed it thoughtfully.

"Wonderfully quick," I said. "It was half-past two when I was at the
Bank, and I couldn't have been at the Post Office before a quarter to
three. I looked at my watch. Just under four hours."

"The Bank?" said Adele, staring. "But you said you were going to the
Club."

I nodded.

"I know. I was anxious to raise no false hopes. All the same, I
couldn't help feeling that half a million francs were worth a tenpenny
wire. Therefore I telegraphed to Jonah. His answer will show whether
that tenpenny wire was worth half a million francs."

My wife snatched the form from my hand and tore it open.

It was very short.

_Bonds repurchased Jonah._

* * * * *

But my memory never recovered from the two-fold slight.

To this day I cannot remember to ask Adele what it was that she had
been about to say when the first tire burst outside Bidache.

CHAPTER X

HOW BERRY SOUGHT COMFORT IN VAIN, AND NOBBY SLEPT UPON A QUEEN'S BED.

Time was getting on.

The season at Pau was approaching the end of its course. Already
villas and flats and servants were being engaged for the winter to
come. We had been asked definitely whether we proposed to return and,
i