"I asked to see Mrs. Darche," he said apologetically. "Mrs. Darche is engaged," answered Brett. "I am a friend of hers and will answer any questions so far as I can." "Thank you. I have no doubt, sir, that you are often troubled by us. You know the reporter has to be everywhere. I will not take any more of your time than I can help. I understand that Mrs. Darche and her friends are to take part in some tableaux for a charitable purpose at the end of the week--" "I fancy there is some mistake about that," said Brett. "Mrs. Darche is in mourning." "Precisely," said Mr. Wood. "I daresay Mrs. Darche would be glad to have the report denied. I understand, then, that there are not to be any tableaux." "I believe there is to be something of the kind, but Mrs. Darche has nothing to do with the affair--beyond giving her advice, I think. She would certainly not care very much to be talked of in the papers just now." "Just so," replied Mr. Wood readily. "I quite understand that there is a prejudice against it, and of course Mrs. Darche's name shall not appear. But you do not know what a great interest our readers take in social doings. Our paper has a very large circulation in the West." "I am very glad to know it. Would it not be enough just to mention the fact that there are to be some tableaux for a charity?" "If you would give me a hint about the subjects. Historical? One or two names would be very useful." "Really I do not think that any of us care to see our names in the paper," said Brett. "I will be as discreet as you wish--Mr.--" "My name is Brett." "Mr. Brett," repeated the reporter, making a note. "May I inquire, Mr. Brett, if you yourself take a part in the entertainment?" "Well--yes--I do." "Any particular costume?" "Yes--" Brett hesitated slightly and smiled. "Yes. Particular costumes are rather the rule in tableaux." "I do not wish to be indiscreet, of course." "No, I daresay not. I believe I am to be Darnley." "Thank you." Here Mr. Wood made another note. "Miss Maylands as Queen Mary Stuart? Is the report correct?" "I believe so," answered Brett, coldly. "Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Brett. If you could oblige me with one or two more names I could fix it nicely." "I suppose, Mr. Wood, that you mean to say something about it whether I tell you or not?" "Well, now, Mr. Brett," replied the reporter, assuming a more confidential manner, "to be quite frank, that is just what happens. We do not like to tire people out with questions they do not care to answer, but the social column has to be filled somehow, and if we do not get the news for it, it is sometimes made up in the office." "So I have often been led to believe from reading it," said Brett. "There are to be three tableaux, from well-known pictures, in which Miss Maylands, Mr. Russell Vanbrugh, myself, and a few others are to take part. The affair is to take place, I think, at Mrs. Trehearne's house." "Thank you, Mr. Brett. Dancing afterwards?" "I do not know."