"Madame is going away, and has put us all on board wages." Dobson had some of the privileges of a companion, and resented this relegation to the servants' hall. "Going away?" cried Bruce. "A sudden departure, eh?" The girl was arranging some parcels on the seat in front of her. She was not disinclined for a conversation with this good-looking gentleman, so she smiled archly, as she said: "Didn't you know, sir? I thought you would know all about it." What he might have ascertained by a longer chat the barrister could not tell, for an interruption occurred. The coachman was more loyal to his mistress than the maid. "Beg pardon, sir," he cried, "but the missus told us to hurry"; and he whipped his steed into the passing stream of carriages. "More complications," murmured Claude. "Mrs. Hillmer contemplates a bolt. Shall I pay her another visit and surprise her? No, confound it, I will not. Let her go, and let things take their course." Not in the most amiable frame of mind at this discovery, he pursued his walk to Portman Square. Sir Charles Dyke was at home. He always was, now. "For goodness' sake, Mr. Bruce," whispered Thompson in the hall, "try to persuade Sir Charles to quit smokin', and readin', and thinkin'. He sits all day in the library and 'ardly has anything to eat." Claude reproached himself for having neglected his resolution to stir his friend into something like animation. He was wondering what he should do in the matter, when the baronet rose at his entrance, saying, with a weary smile: "Well, old fellow, what news?" The other suddenly decided to throw all questioning to the winds for the moment. "I have come to bring you out. I won't hear of a refusal. Let us walk to the club and have lunch and a game of billiards." Sir Charles protested. He had slept badly and was tired. "All the more reason that you should sleep well to-night. Come, now, be advised. You will allow yourself to become a hopeless invalid if you go on in this way." Dyke unwillingly consented, and they left the house. The older man brightened up considerably amidst the bustle of the streets. His color returned, he talked with some degree of cheerfulness, and even laughed as he said: "I never understood you were a doctor, Claude, in addition to your other varied acquirements. For the first time since--since November last, I feel hungry." "Why don't you take my advice, and go away for some shooting? It is not too late, even now, to go after a hare." "I will think of it. I wonder who we shall meet at the club." "Lots of fellows, no doubt. And, by the way, you must be prepared for one little difficulty. Suppose they ask about your wife?" The baronet's momentary gaiety vanished. He stopped short, and clutched Bruce's arm. "Don't you see," he almost moaned, "that this is the reason I have remained indoors for so long? What shall I say?"