Altogether, it is doubtful if Stanley would ever have remembered to dress for dinner, had not his meditations been interrupted by a series of astonishing sounds in the hall, which seemed to betoken the movements of great weights with strenuous exertions. Just at that moment the valet entered with his freshly brushed dress clothes, and a question as to the cause of the disturbance elicited the fact that: "They was Mr. Riddle's chests, sir," and though it wasn't his place to say it, "he's a mighty queer old gentleman, gives magic lantern shows and entertainments free for charity, sir." "From his luggage, I should imagine he was supporting an opera troupe." "They was labelled 'stereopticon,' sir, but they was that heavy----" "Thanks," broke in the Secretary. "That's quite sufficient." He never approved of encouraging gossip, and was not interested in the description of the benevolent county magnate--still less in the weight of his chests--yet he smiled quietly to himself as he dressed for dinner. CHAPTER X BEFORE DINNER The Lieutenant and Miss Fitzgerald were in the billiard-room, and the former was putting in the half-hour which must elapse before dinner by teaching the latter the science of bank-shots. "I say," queried her instructor, in one of the pauses of the game, "do you know that little diplomatic affair of yours has turned up again? I saw it driving in from the station, half an hour ago. "Jimsy Stanley, I suppose you mean?" "The same,--and look here, you won't turn crusty, if I ask you a point-blank question?" "No, Dottie." "Don't call me that, you know I hate it." "Isn't it your naval sobriquet?" "Never mind if it is." "But I do mind, and I shall call you what I please, for it suits you perfectly. Well, then, Dottie, I don't mind your asking me anything, if it's for a purpose, and not for idle curiosity." "Oh, it's for a purpose fast enough." "Go ahead, then. I'll try and bank that ball into the side-pocket, while you are thinking it out." "It doesn't need thinking out. It's just this: Do you mean business with Little Diplomacy?" "What affair is that of yours?" she asked, pausing in the act of chalking her cue. "None, thank goodness; but I'd like to do a pal a good turn, and so----" "Well?" "If you'll accept a bit of advice." "Out with it." "Don't lose any time, if you do mean business. He's being warned against you." "Aren't you clever enough to know the result of that?" "Yes, if the advice comes from a woman--but supposing it's from a man?" "Who?" "Kent-Lauriston." Miss Fitzgerald so far forgot herself as to whistle. "How do you know?" "Gainsborough told me. He said he overheard an awful long confab between them at the St. James, two days ago, and Diplomacy said he'd write a letter to our hostess, sending his regrets." "No such letter has been received." "Probably he changed his mind,--but----"