room, sir."

"Righto." He put his feet into a pair of slippers, donned a bath gown
and shuffled into the adjoining room. At the door he paused to survey
the appointments.

"I think this is a nice bedroom of mine, don't you?"

Doran signified assent with a smile.

"Very nice flat altogether. What sort of taste have I in the matter of
clothes?"

"Pretty good, sir. I've laid out a blue cheviot."

"Aha! And an M.C.C. tie. Shan't wear that."

"No, sir."

"I'm not a member."

"But in the circumstances, sir."

"P'raps you're right. A sound taste in shirtings, I see."

"Rather a strong feature with us, sir."

Richard whistled cheerfully as he dressed himself. The clothes fitted
him astonishingly well--even the collars were right to a quarter size.
In the intervals between whistling solos he put questions on a hundred
matters.

"Am I a fairly decent sort of chap, Doran?"

The question received a frowning affirmative.

"Splendid! You stick up for me."

The rattle of enquiry proceeded. How much did he drink? How long had
he had the flat? What were his clubs--games--favourite restaurants?
What was his telephone number? Did he smoke to excess--go out much?
Was he fond of reading? Had he got a profession?

"Ah! and this is important. What about money?"

"There's seven pound ten in that note case, sir."

Richard verified the statement.

"Suppose I want more?"

"There's about two hundred in the second drawer of the bureau, sir."

"That's the sort of bureau for me. And I can get some food here?"

"I shall look after that, sir."

"First rate. Everything seems snug and in order. Let's take a look
round the flat."

They inspected every corner, with the exception of the wine cellar,
paused for a moment in the hall to try on hats and finished up in the
dining room where Doran presented him with a bunch of keys, explaining
their various uses.

Richard dropped into a saddle bag chair and smiled expansively upon a
friendly world.

"A very pleasant finish to the day," he remarked luxuriously. "If
you'd mix me one small drink and put the cigarettes in reach, I'll
bother you no more tonight."

Doran was moving toward the decanter when a low knock sounded at the
front door. He stopped, raised his head, listened, and stood quite
still. The knock was repeated.

"Better find out who it is," Richard suggested.

"Yes, sir," said Doran, but made no move.

"What's the matter? You look worrie