Sam perceived that a frank and soothing explanation must be his first step. After that, and only after that, could he begin to institute inquiries as to why His Lordship had honoured him with this visit. “That fellow who stole your trousers----” “I have no wish to discuss him,” said Lord Tilbury with hauteur. “The fact that you employ a lunatic manservant causes me no surprise.” “He wasn’t my manservant. He was a burglar.” “A burglar? Roaming at large about the house? Did you know he was here?” “Oh, yes. I caught him and I made him take his trousers off, and then I went next door to tea.” Lord Tilbury expelled a long breath. “Indeed? You went next door to tea?” “Yes.” “Leaving this--this criminal----” “Well, I knew he couldn’t get away. Oh, I had reasoned it all out. Your happening to turn up was just a bit of bad luck. Was there anything you wanted to see me about?” asked Sam, feeling that the sooner this interview terminated the pleasanter it would be. Lord Tilbury puffed out his cheeks and stood smouldering for a moment. In the agitation of the recent occurrences, he had almost forgotten the tragedy which had sent him hurrying down to Mon Repos. “Yes, there was,” he said. He sizzled for another brief instant. “I may begin by telling you,” he said, “that your uncle, Mr. Pynsent, when he sent you over here to join my staff, practically placed me _in loco parentis_ with respect to you.” “An excellent idea,” said Sam courteously. “An abominable idea! It was an iniquitous thing to demand of a busy man that he should take charge of a person of a character so erratic, so undisciplined, so--er--eccentric as to border closely upon the insane.” “Insane?” said Sam. He was wounded to the quick by the injustice of these harsh words. From first to last, he could think of no action of his that had not been inspired and guided throughout by the dictates of pure reason. “Who, me?” “Yes, you! It was a monstrous responsibility to give any man, and I consented to undertake it only because--er----” “I know. My uncle told me,” said Sam, to help him out. “You had some business deal on, and you wanted to keep in with him.” Lord Tilbury showed no gratitude for this kindly prompting. “Well,” he said bitterly, “it may interest you to know that the deal to which you refer has fallen through.” “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,” said Sam sympathetically. “That’s tough luck. I’m afraid my uncle is a queer sort of fellow to do business with.” “I received a cable from him this afternoon, informing me that he had changed his mind and would be unable to meet me in the matter.” “Too bad,” said Sam. “I really am sorry.” “And it is entirely owing to you, you may be pleased to learn.” “Me? Why, what have I done?” “I will tell you what you have done. Mr. Pynsent’s cable was in answer to one from me, in which I informed him that you were in the process of becoming entangled with a girl.” “What?”