behalf of the family as
to my identity, I think we had better stick to that point."

"Just so," said Simms, "precisely--"

"Excuse me," said the Duke of Melford, "I think if Mr. er--Jones wishes
to prove his identity as Mr. Jones he will admit that his actions will
help. Now Lord Rochester was a very, shall we say, fastidious person,
quiet in his actions."

"Oh, was he," said Jones, "that's news."

"Quiet, that is to say, in his movements--let it stand at that. Now my
friend Collins said to me something about the eating of a document--"

Jones bristled. "Collins had no right to tell you that," said he, "I
told him that privately. When did he tell you that?"

"When I called, just after his interview with you--he did not say it in
anyway offensively. In fact he seemed to admire you for your--energy and
so forth."

"Did you, in fact, eat a document?" asked Simms, with an air of bland
interest.

"I did--and saved a very nasty situation, _and_ a million of money."

"What was the document?" asked Cavendish.

"A bill of exchange."

"Now may I ask why you did that?" queried Simms.

"No, you mayn't," replied Jones, "it's a private affair affecting the
honour of another person."

"Quite so," said Simms, "but just one more question. Did you hear a
voice telling you to--er--eat this paper?"

"Yes."

"What sort of voice was it?"

"It was the sort of voice that belongs to common-sense."

"Ha, ha," laughed Cavendish. "Good, very good,--but there is just
something I want to ask. How was it, Mr.--er--Jones, that you turned
into your present form, exchanged your position as it were with the Earl
of Rochester?"

"O Lord," said Jones. Then to the Duke of Melford, "Tell them."

"Well," said the Duke. "Mr. Jones was sitting in the lounge of an hotel
when a gentleman entered whom he knew but could not recognize."

"Couldn't place his name," cut in Jones.

"Precisely. The gentleman said 'turn round and look in that mirror'--"

"You've left the drinks out," said Jones.

"True. Mr. Jones and the gentleman had partaken of certain drinks."

"What were the drinks?" put in Simms.

"Champagne cocktails, whisky and soda, then a bottle of
Bollinger--after," said Jones.

"Mr. Jones looked into the mirror," continued the Duke, "and saw that he
was the other gentleman, that is to say, Lord Rochester."

"No, the twin image," put in Jones.

"The twin image--well, after that more liquor was consumed--"

"The chap doped