“You do not, I suppose, chance to have a past?” asked Mr. Teal, not very hopefully. “I use the word in its technical sense. A deserted wife? Some poor creature you have treated shamefully?” At the risk of sinking still further in the butler's esteem, Roland was compelled to answer in the negative. “I was afraid not,” said Mr. Teal, shaking his head. “Thinking it all over yesterday, I said to myself, 'I'm afraid he wouldn't have one.' You don't look like the sort of gentleman who had done much with his time.” “Thinking it over?” “Not on your account, sir,” explained Mr. Teal. “On the family's. I disapproved of this match from the first. A man who has served a family as long as I have had the honor of serving his lordship's, comes to entertain a high regard for the family prestige. And, with no offense to yourself, sir, this would not have done.” “Well, it looks as if it would have to do,” said Roland, gloomily. “I can't see any way out of it.” “I can, sir. My niece at Aldershot.” Mr. Teal wagged his head at him with a kind of priestly archness. “You can not have forgotten my niece at Aldershot?” Roland stared at him dumbly. It was like a line out of a melodrama. He feared, first for his own, then for the butler's sanity. The latter was smiling gently, as one who sees light in a difficult situation. “I've never been at Aldershot in my life.” “For our purposes you have, sir. But I'm afraid I am puzzling you. Let me explain. I've got a niece over at Aldershot who isn't much good. She's not very particular. I am sure she would do it for a consideration.” “Do what?” “Be your 'Past,' sir. I don't mind telling you that as a 'Past' she's had some experience; looks the part, too. She's a barmaid, and you would guess it the first time you saw her. Dyed yellow hair, sir,” he went on with enthusiasm, “done all frizzy. Just the sort of young person that a young gentleman like yourself would have had a 'past' with. You couldn't find a better if you tried for a twelvemonth.” “But, I say----!” “I suppose a hundred wouldn't hurt you?” “Well, no, I suppose not, but----” “Then put the whole thing in my hands, sir. I'll ask leave off to-morrow and pop over and see her. I'll arrange for her to come here the day after to see you. Leave it all to me. To-night you must write the letters.” “Letters?” “Naturally, there would be letters, sir. It is an inseparable feature of these cases.” “Do you mean that I have got to write to her? But I shouldn't know what to say. I've never seen her.” “That will be quite all right, sir, if you place yourself in my hands. I will come to your room after everybody's gone to bed, and help you write those letters. You have some note-paper with your own address on it? Then it will all be perfectly simple.”