He did not talk to him about schemes. He talked to him of New York, which he had never seen and hoped sometime shortly to visit. The information he gained was not of the kind he most desired, but it edified him. Tembarom's knowledge of high finance was a street lad's knowledge of it, and he himself knew its limitations and probable unreliability. Such of his facts as rested upon the foundation of experience did not include multimillionaires and their resources. Captain Palliser passed lightly to Temple Barholm and its neighborhood. He knew places and names, and had been to Detchworth more than once. He had never visited Temple Barholm, and his interest suggested that he would like to walk through the gardens. Tembarom took him out, and they strolled about for some time. Even an alert observer would not have suspected the fact that as they strolled, Tembarom slouching a trifle and with his hands in his pockets, Captain Palliser bearing himself with languid distinction, each man was summing up the other and considering seriously how far and in what manner he could be counted as an asset. “You haven't been to Detchworth yet?” Palliser inquired. “No, not yet,” answered Tembarom. The Granthams were of those who had not yet called. “It's an agreeable house. The Granthams are agreeable people.” “Are there any young people in the family?” Tembarom asked. “Young people? Male or female?” Palliser smilingly put it. Suddenly it occurred to him that this might give him a sort of lead. “Girls,” said Tembarom, crudely--“just plain girls.” Palliser laughed. Here it was, perhaps. “They are not exactly 'plain' girls, though they are not beauties. There are four Misses Grantham. Lucy is the prettiest. Amabel is quite tremendous at tennis.” “Are they ladies?” inquired Tembarom. Captain Palliser turned and involuntarily stared at him. What was the fellow getting at? “I'm afraid I don't quite understand,” he said. The new Temple Barholm looked quite serious. He did not, amazing to relate, look like a fool even when he gave forth his extraordinary question. It was his almost business-like seriousness which saved him. “I mean, do you call them Lady Lucy and Lady Amabel?” he answered. If he had been younger, less hardened, or less finished, Captain Palliser would have laughed outright. But he answered without self-revelation. “Oh, I see. You were asking whether the family is a titled one. No; it is a good old name, quite old, in fact, but no title goes with the estate.” “Who are the titled people about here?” Tembarom asked, quite unabashed. “The Earl of Pevensy at Pevensy Park, the Duke of Stone at Stone Hover, Lord Hambrough at Doone. Doone is in the next county, just over the border.” “Have they all got daughters?” Captain Palliser found it expedient to clear his throat before speaking. “Lord Pevensy has daughters, so has the duke. Lord Hambrough has three sons.”