Anthony, then, was surveying himself, if you remember, in a long mirror. He had just taken up the tea. He was taking a second look at what he could see of his back, when the front-door bell rang. Even at this elevation there was no mistaking its deep peremptory note. Lyveden descended the stairs. He opened the door faultlessly to find himself face to face with a man who had been his first servant when his battery had been in France. For a moment the two footmen stared at one another. Then-- "Glad to see you, Walters," said Lyveden heartily. "Same to you, sir," said Walters, touching his hat. "An', beggin' your pardon, sir, is Lady 'Elen at 'ome?" "There's no Lady Helen here," said Lyveden. "This is Mrs. Slumper's house." "Oh, very good, sir," said Walters jerkily. "Sorry to 'ave troubled you, sir." He touched his hat and turned away nervously.... Anthony continued to hold the door open till the car should have passed on. Walters was making his report. It appeared that this was unsatisfactory, for a moment later he was again at the door. "Excuse me, sir, but would you speak to my lady?" Lyveden descended the steps. From the luxury of a smart landaulette a dame of some consequence regarded him shrewdly. She had, of course, witnessed the comedy upon the steps. "Who lives here?" she demanded haughtily. Lyveden drew himself up. "Mrs. Slumper, madam." His statement was received with an irrational suspicion. "Indeed! I didn't know that Lady Helen Amiens had let her house." "Neither, madam, did I." The great lady stared at Anthony, who looked straight ahead. Then-- "I--I beg your pardon," she murmured. Anthony bowed and turned on his heel. As he passed Walters, who was standing wide-eyed, the latter touched his hat faithfully. When the car had passed on, Anthony closed the door thoughtfully. It had not occurred to him that the house had been hired as it stood. Certainly the Slumpers had given no hint of such a state of affairs. Probably they felt it to be beneath their dignity. It being no affair of his, Lyveden decided to keep his own counsel. * * * * * Two days later Anthony visited Patch for the second time. The same relentless train that had rushed the two down to Hertfordshire that dreadful Thursday had become an easy-going friend. By pocketing his lunch, Lyveden could catch it with anything under five minutes to spare. This gave the two another three-quarters of an hour. Their second meeting was a replica of the first.