_Porter_. Goot afternoon, Schendlemen. You have a bleasant dimes at Torcello, yes? Ach! you haf gif your gondoliers vifdeen franc? Zey schvindle you, oal ze gondoliers alvays schvindles eferypody, yes! Zere is som ledders for you. I vetch zem. [_He bustles away._ _Mr. Bellerby_ (_suddenly emerging from a recess in the entrance, as he recognises CULCHARD_). Why bless me, there's a face I know! Met at Lugano, didn't we? To be sure--very pleasant chat we had too! So you're at Venice, eh? I know every stone of it by heart, as I needn't say. The first time I was ever at Venice-- _Culch._ (_taking a bulky envelope from the Porter_). Just so--how are you? Er--will you excuse me? [_He opens the envelope and finds a blue official-looking enclosure, which he reads with a gradually lengthening countenance._ _Mr. B._ (_as CULCHARD thrusts the letter angrily into his pocket_). You're new to Venice, I think? Well, just let me give you a word of advice. Now you _are_ here--you make them give you some tunny. Insist on it, Sir. Why, when I was here first-- _Culch._ (_impatiently_). I know. I mean, you told me that before. And I _have_ tasted tunny. _Mr. B._ Ha! well, what did you think of it? _Delicious_, eh? _Culch._ (_forgetting all his manners_). Beastly, Sir, _beastly! [Leaves the scandalised Mr. B. abruptly, and rushes off to get a telegram form at the bureau._ _Mr. Crawley Strutt_ (_pouncing on PODBURY in the hall, as he finishes the perusal of his letter_). Excuse me--but surely I have the honour of addressing Lord GEORGE GUMBLETON? You may perhaps just recollect, my Lord--? _Podb._ (_blankly_). Think you've made a mistake, really. _Mr. C.S._ Is it possible! I have come across so many people while I've been away that--but surely we have met _somewhere_? Why, of course, Sir JOHN JUBBER! you must pardon me, SIR JOHN-- _Podb._ (_recognizing him_). My name's PODBURY--plain PODBURY, but you're quite right. You _have_ met me--and you've met my bootmaker too. "Lord UPPERSOLE," eh? That's where the mistake came in! _Mr. C.S._ (_with hauteur_). I think not, Sir; I have no recollection of the circumstance. I see now your face is quite unfamiliar to me. [_He moves away; PODBURY gets a telegram form and sits down at a table in the hall opposite CULCHARD._ _Culch._ (_reading over his telegram_). "Yours just received. Am returning immediately." _Podb._ (_do., do._). "Letter to hand. No end sorry. Start at once." (_Seeing CULCHARD._) Wiring to Florence for room, eh? _Culch._ Er--no. The fact is, I've just heard from my Chief--a--a most intemperate communication, insisting on my instant return to my duties! I shall have to humour him, I suppose, and leave at once. _Podb._ So shall I. No end of a shirty letter from the Governor. Wants to know how much longer I expect him to be tied to the office. Old humbug, when he only turns up twice a week for a couple of hours!