nnouncement have its full
effect. "You will understand why I am here to represent him. Lord
Polperro dare not, simply dare not, expose himself to an agitating
interview; it might--it probably would--cost him his life. Miss
Sparkes, I am sure you would not like to see your noble relative fall
lifeless at your feet?"

Polly looked at Gammon, who, in spite of wrath, could not help smiling.

"He didn't do it in Lincoln's Inn Fields, Greenacre."

"He did not; but I very greatly fear that those meetings--of course I
have heard of them--helped to bring about the crisis under which he is
now suffering, as also did a certain other meeting which you will
recollect, Gammon. Pray tell me, did Lord Polperro seem to you in
robust health?"

"Can't say he did. Looked jolly seedy."

"Precisely. Acting on my advice he has left town for a few days. I
shall join him to-morrow, and do my best to keep up his spirits. You
will now see the necessity for using great caution, great
consideration, in this strange affair. We can be quite frank with each
other, Gammon, and of course we have no secrets from my new and valued
friend--if she will let me call her so--Miss Polly Sparkes. One has but
to look at Miss Sparkes to see the sweetness and thoughtfulness of her
disposition. Come now, we are going to make a little plot together, to
act for the best. I am sure we do not wish Lord Polperro's death. I am
sure _you_ do not, Miss Sparkes."

Polly again looked at Gammon, and muttered that of course she didn't.
Gammon grinned. Feeling sure of his power to act independently, if need
were, he began to see the jocose side of things.

"One question I should like to ask," continued Greenacre, lighting a
second cigarette. "Has Mrs. Clover--as we will continue to call her,
with an implied apology--been informed yet?"

"I haven't told her," said Gammon frankly.

"And I'm sure I haven't," added Polly, who had begun to observe Mr.
Greenacre with a less hostile eye, and was recovering her native
vivacity.

Greenacre looked satisfied.

"Then I think you have acted very wisely indeed--as one might have
expected from Miss Sparkes. I don't mean I shouldn't have expected it
from you too, Gammon; but you and I are not on ceremony, old man. Now
let me have your attention. We begin by admitting that Lord Polperro
has put himself in a very painful position. Painful, let me tell you,
in every sense. Lord Polperro desires nothing so much--nothing so
much--as t