which the visitors
had hitherto attributed to flies, showed that their host now considered
he had received a sufficient guarantee of his lordship's honorable
intentions.

"So far, so good," resumed Mr. Maddison. "I may now inform you, Lord
Tulliwuddle, that the reports about you which I have been able to gather
read kind of mixed, and before consenting to your reception within my
daughter's boudoir we should feel obliged if you would satisfy us that
the worst of them are not true--or, at least, sir, exaggerated."

This time the Baron could not restrain an exclamation of displeasure.

"Vat, sir!" he cried, addressing the millionaire. "Do you examine me on
my life!"

"No, sir," said Ri, frowning his most determined frown. "It is to ME you
will be kind enough to give any explanation you have to offer! Dad may
be the spokesman, but I am the inspirer of these interrogations. My
sister, sir, the purest girl in America, the most beautiful creature
beneath the star-spangled banner of Columbia, is not going to be the
companion of dissolute idleness and gilded dishonor--not, sir, if _I_
know it."

Too confounded by this unusual warning to think of any adequate retort,
the Baron could only stare his sensations; while Mr. Maddison, taking
up the conversation the instant his son had ceased, proceeded in a
deliberate and impressive voice to say--

"Yes, sir, my son--and I associate myself with him--my son and I, sir,
would be happy to learn that it is NOT the case as here stated" (he
glanced at a paper in his hand), "namely, Item 1, that you sup rather
too frequently with ladies--I beg your pardon, Count Bunker, for
introducing the theme--with ladies of the theatrical profession."

"I!" gasped the Baron. "I do only vish I sometimes had ze cha----"

"Tulliwuddle!" interrupted the Count. "Don't let your natural
indignation carry you away! Mr. Maddison, that statement is not true. I
can vouch for it."

"Ach, of course it is not true," said the Baron more calmly, as he began
to realize that it was not his own character that was being aspersed.

"I am very glad to hear it," continued Mr. Maddison, who apparently did
not share the full austerity of his son's views, since without further
question he hurried on to the next point.

"Item 2, sir, states that at least two West End firms are threatening
you with proceedings if you do not discharge their accounts within a
reasonable time."

"A lie!" declared the Baron emphatically