"I'm almost ashamed of having dragged you into this business," said he. "Don't you fret, my dear fellar. I'm delighted. I've been spending that five thousand in imagination ever since I heard of it. Think I'll emigrate in the fine style." "Hm!" he paused. "Altar! I shouldn't really tell you this, but you're likely to be kidnapped tonight." "What?" "I thought you might like to know." "Thanks very much." "That's all." "Hang on a minute. Do you want me to defend myself? I'm pretty useful with my hands or a gun either for that matter." "It would help us if you did nothing at all--except comply." Richard's face fell for he loved a good mix up. "Oh, very well, if you say so." "Thank you," said Cranbourne. "The best of luck, old chap." "You bet." Cranbourne went out and a moment later the front door slammed. Then Richard began to laugh. "Kidnapped, eh! What a game. Doran!" The last word rang out imperatively. "Sir," came the reply. "Have I got any clothes?" "In the bedroom, sir." "Righto." He put his feet into a pair of slippers, donned a bath gown and shuffled into the adjoining room. At the door he paused to survey the appointments. "I think this is a nice bedroom of mine, don't you?" Doran signified assent with a smile. "Very nice flat altogether. What sort of taste have I in the matter of clothes?" "Pretty good, sir. I've laid out a blue cheviot." "Aha! And an M.C.C. tie. Shan't wear that." "No, sir." "I'm not a member." "But in the circumstances, sir." "P'raps you're right. A sound taste in shirtings, I see." "Rather a strong feature with us, sir." Richard whistled cheerfully as he dressed himself. The clothes fitted him astonishingly well--even the collars were right to a quarter size. In the intervals between whistling solos he put questions on a hundred matters. "Am I a fairly decent sort of chap, Doran?" The question received a frowning affirmative. "Splendid! You stick up for me." The rattle of enquiry proceeded. How much did he drink? How long had he had the flat? What were his clubs--games--favourite restaurants? What was his telephone number? Did he smoke to excess--go out much? Was he fond of reading? Had he got a profession? "Ah! and this is important. What about money?" "There's seven pound ten in that note case, sir." Richard verified the statement. "Suppose I want more?" "There's about two hundred in the second drawer of the bureau, sir." "That's the sort of bureau for me. And I can get some food here?" "I shall look after that, sir." "First rate. Everything seems snug and in order. Let's take a look round the flat." They inspected every corner, with the exception of the wine cellar, paused for a moment in the hall to try on hats and finished up in the dining room where Doran presented him with a bunch of keys, explaining their various uses. Richard dropped into a saddle bag chair and smiled expansively upon a friendly world.