As little did Lady Wyndward guess, as she lay awake, vainly striving to find some means of averting the consequences of her son's "infatuation" for the painter's niece, that a keener and less scrupulous mind had already set to work in the same direction. CHAPTER XVII. Jasper undressed and went to bed, and slept as soundly as men of his peculiar caliber do sleep, while Scrivell was standing at the corner of a street in Covent Garden, with his hands in his pockets and his eyes on the entrance to King's Hotel. A little after nine Jasper awoke, had his bath, dressed, went out, got some breakfast, and sat down to work, and for the time being forgot--actually forgot--that such an individual as Stella Etheridge existed. That was the secret of his power, that he could concentrate his attention on one subject to the absolute abnegation of all others. Several visitors put in an appearance on business, Jasper opening the door by means of a wire which drew back the handle, without moving. At about half-past twelve someone knocked. Jasper opened the door, and a tall, fashionably-dressed young gentleman entered. It was a certain Captain Halliday, who had been one of the guests at Wyndward Hall on the first night of our introduction there. Captain Halliday was a man about town; one who had been rich, but who had worked very hard to make himself poor--and nearly succeeded. He was a well-known man, and a member of a fast club, at which high play formed the chief amusement. Jasper knew him socially, and got up--a thing he did not often do--to shake hands. "How do you do?" he said, motioning him to a chair. "Anything I can do for you?" It was generally understood by Jasper's acquaintances that Jasper's time was money, and they respected the hours devoted by him to business. Captain Halliday smiled. "You always come to the point, Adelstone," he replied. "Yes, I want a little advice." Jasper sat down and clasped his hands over his knee; they were very white and carefully-kept hands. "Hope I may be able to give it to you. What is it?" "Well look here," said the captain, "you don't mind my smoking a cigarette, do you? I can always talk better while I am smoking." "Not at all--I like it," said Jasper. "But the lady clients?" said the captain, with a little contraction of the eyelids, which was suspiciously near a wink. "I don't think they mind," said Jasper. "They are generally too occupied with their own business to notice. A light?" and he handed the wax tapers which stood on his desk for sealing purposes. The captain lighted his cigarette slowly. It was evident that the matter upon which he required advice was delicate, and only to be attacked with much deliberation. "Look here!" he began; "I've come upon rather an awkward business."