Away went Van, and out of the wreck of his fortune contrived a modest dinner at Verey's; and pondering, after dinner, upon the awful plight of himself and his comrade, he came at last to the heroic resolution of braving the dangers of a visit to Mr. Longcluse, on behalf of his friend; and as it was now past nine, he hastily paid the waiter, took his hat, and set out upon his adventure. It was a mere chance, he knew, and a very unlikely one, his finding Mr. Longcluse at home at that hour. He knew that he was doing a very odd thing in calling at past nine o'clock; but the occasion was anomalous, and Mr. Longcluse would understand. He knocked at the door, and learned from the servant that his master was engaged with a gentleman in the study, on business. From this room he heard a voice, faintly discoursing in a deep metallic drawl. "Who shall I say, Sir?" asked the servant. If his mission had been less monotonous, and he less excited and sanguine as to his diplomatic success, he would have, as he said, "funked it altogether," and gone away. He hesitated for a moment, and determined upon the form most likely to procure an interview. "Say Mr. Vandeleur--a friend of Mr. Richard Arden's; you'll remember, please--a friend of Mr. Richard Arden's." In a moment the man returned. "Will you please to walk up-stairs?" and he showed him into the drawing-room. In little more than a minute, Mr. Longcluse himself entered. His eyes were fixed on the visitor with a rather stern curiosity. Perhaps he had interpreted the term "friend" a little too technically. He made him a ceremonious bow, in French fashion, and placed a chair for him. "I had the pleasure of being introduced to you, Mr. Longcluse, at Lady May Penrose's. My name is Vandeleur." "I have had that honour, Mr. Vandeleur, I remember perfectly. The servant mentioned that you announced yourself as Mr. Arden's friend, if I don't mistake." CHAPTER XLII. DIPLOMACY. Mr. Vandeleur and Mr. Longcluse were now seated, and the former gentleman said-- "Yes, I am a friend of Mr. Arden's--so much so, that I have ventured what I hope you won't think a very impertinent liberty. I was so very sorry to hear that a misunderstanding had occurred--I did not ask him about what--and he has been so unlucky about the Derby, you know--I ought to say that I am, upon my honour, a mere volunteer, so perhaps you will think I have no right to ask you to listen to me." "I shall be happy to continue this conversation, Mr. Vandeleur, upon one condition." "Pray name it." "That you report it fully to the gentleman for whom you are so kind as to interest yourself." "Yes, I'll certainly do that." Mr. Longcluse looked by no means so jolly as Van remembered him, and he thought he detected, at mention of Richard Arden's name, for a moment, a look of positive malevolence--I can't say absolutely, it may have been fancy--as he turned quickly, and the light played suddenly on his face.