"Well, well; to think of that, now," he muttered to himself. "To think that this gentleman should trouble himself to come from who knows how far off, just to be present at the tenth anniversary of _our_ club, and on such a night as this, too." "By the by, Mr. Hearty," said the new comer to the landlord: "I believe that's your name, is it not?" "The same, sir; Jack Hearty, at your service, sir." "Well, then, Jack Hearty, I have just come from foreign parts, where I have left an old customer of yours; one Mr. Rustcoin, a great friend of Mr. Oldstone's. Do you recollect him?" "_Recollect_ him!" exclaimed the landlord. "Ay, indeed, sir, do I; a pleasanter gentleman over his bottle of port or over his bowl of punch hasn't crossed my threshold since he left it. Many's the good yarn we would have together. I hope you left him very well, sir?" "In excellent health, thank you, Jack," said the stranger. "He desired to be remembered to you." "Thank you, sir," said the host. "Yes; those slippers will do," said the new guest. "Draw near to the table, my friend," said Mr. Oldstone, "for I must introduce you to the other members and guests here to-night." "My friends," said the chairman, "this gentleman is Mr. Vandyke McGuilp, an artist from Rome, great friend of my old chum Rustcoin, whom most of you knew. Mr. McGuilp, this gentleman on my right is Mr. Hardcase, the lawyer, who will be the first to relate a story to-night. On his right is Dr. Bleedem, one of our celebrated physicians; next to him is Mr. Cyanite, professor of geology, and then comes Mr. Blackdeed, one of our eminent tragedians; next to him is Mr. Parnassus, a young poet of great promise; after him is Mr. Crucible, analytical chemist, one of the oldest members of our club; next to him, as guest to-night, is Captain Toughyarn, commander of Her Majesty's good ship the _Dreadnought_; then, next door neighbour to yourself is Mr. Jollytoast, celebrated low comedian." The new visitor bowed to each guest at the table with urbanity, and the guests returned the salute cordially. "Well, gentlemen," began the president, "what do you say to a bumper to the health of our new guest?" "Hear, hear!" cried the guests, unanimously. Each filled up his glass from the punch-bowl, and our artist's health was drunk with cheers, to which he responded in a short and modest speech. (Applause.) "And now, Mr. Hardcase," said the chairman, after the formalities were gone through, "I think it was arranged that you should tell the first story. I hope you have one ready. I am anxious for my young friend to hear a specimen of our far-famed recitals. In this club," said Mr. Oldstone, addressing the artist, "we always esteem those stories the highest that are true, and especially if they are facts coming under the experience of the relater. What sort of story may we expect from you to-night, Mr. Hardcase?"