e The Lash?

"Hang it, the Baron has had such a good innings that he can scarcely
grudge me a short knock," he said to himself. "He can wait for me at
Perth or somewhere."

And, ringing the bell, he wrote and promptly despatched this brief
telegram:

"Delighted. Shall spend to-night in passing. Bunker."

Hardly was this point settled when the footman re-entered to inform
him that Mr. Maddison's motor car was at the door waiting to convey him
without delay to Lincoln Lodge. Accompanying this announcement came the
Silver King's card bearing the words, "Please come and see me at once."

The Count stroked his chin, and lit a cigarette.

"There is something fresh in the wind," thought he.

In the course of his forty-miles-an-hour rush through the odors of pine
woods, he had time to come to a pretty correct conclusion regarding
the business before him, and was thus enabled to adopt the mien most
suitable to the contingency when he found himself ushered into the
presence of the millionaire and his son. The set look upon their faces,
the ceremonious manner of their greeting, and the low buzzing of the
phonograph, audible above the tinkle of a musical box ingeniously
intended to drown it, confirmed his guess even before a word had passed.

"Be seated, Count," said the Silver King; and the Count sat.

"Now, sir," he continued, "I have sent for you, owing, sir, to the high
opinion I have formed of your intelligence and business capabilities."

The Count bowed profoundly.

"Yes, sir, I believe, and my son believes, you to be a white man, even
though you are a Count."

"That is so," said Ri.

"Now, sir, you must be aware--in fact, you ARE aware--of the matrimonial
project once entertained between my daughter and Lord Tulliwuddle."

"Once!" exclaimed the Count in protest.

"ONCE!" echoed Ri in his deepest voice.

"Hish, Ri! Let your poppa do the talking this time," said the
millionaire sternly, though with an indulgent eye.

"But--er--ONCE?" repeated the Count, as if bewildered by the past tense
implied; though to himself he murmured--"I knew it!"

"When I gave my sanction to Lord Tulliwuddle's proposition, I did
so under the impression that I was doing a deal with a man, sir, of
integrity and honor. But what do I find?"

"Yes, what?" thundered Ri.

"I find, sir, that his darned my-lordship--and be damned to his
titles----"

"Mr. Maddison!" expostulated the Count gently.

"I find, Count, I find that Lord T