"I can't see, sir; he stands behind the fat gentleman." "Mr. Bumble Bee.... Jim!" "Sir!" Jim turned quickly at the sound of the sharp voice. He found that my lord had risen, and was holding up a waistcoat of pea-green pattern on a bilious yellow ground, between a disgusted finger and thumb. Before his severe frown Jim dropped his eyes and stood looking for all the world like a schoolboy detected in some crime. "You put this--this monstrosity--out for _me_ to wear?" in awful tones. Jim eyed the waistcoat gloomily and nodded. "Yes, sir." "Did I not specify cream ground?" "Yes, sir. I thought--I thought that 'twas cream!" "My good friend, it is--it is--I cannot say what it is. And pea-green!" he shuddered. "Remove it." Jim hurried forward and disposed of the offending garment. "And bring me the broidered satin. Yes, that is it. It is particularly pleasing to the eye." "Yes, sir," agreed the abashed Jim. "You are excused this time," added my lord, with a twinkle in his eye. "What are our two friends doing?" Salter went back to the window "They've gone into the house, sir. No, here's the spider gentleman! He do seem in a hurry, your honour!" "Ah!" murmured his lordship. "You may assist me into this coat. Thanks." With no little difficulty, my lord managed to enter into the fine satin garment, which, when on, seemed moulded to his back, so excellently did it fit. He shook out his ruffles and slipped the emerald ring on to his finger with a slight frown. "I believe I shall remain here some few days," he remarked presently. "To--ah--allay suspicion." He looked across at his man as he spoke, through his lashes. It was not in Jim's nature to inquire into his master's affairs, much less to be surprised at anything he might do or say. He was content to receive and promptly execute his orders, and to worship Carstares with a dog-like devotion, following blindly in his wake, happy as long as he might serve him. Carstares had found him in France, very down upon his luck, having been discharged from the service of his late master owing to the penniless condition of that gentleman's pocket. He had engaged him as his own personal servant, and the man had remained with him ever since, proving an invaluable acquisition to my Lord John. Despite a singularly wooden countenance, he was by no means a fool, and he had helped Carstares out of more than one tight corner during his inglorious and foolhardy career as highwayman. He probably understood his somewhat erratic master better than anyone else, and he now divined what was in his mind. He returned that glance with a significant wink. "'Twas them gentlemen ye held up to-day, sir?" he asked, jerking an expressive thumb towards the window. "M'm. Mr. Bumble Bee and friend. It would almost appear so. I think I do not fully appreciate Mr. Bumble Bee. I find his conduct rather tiresome. But it is just possible that he thinks the same of me. I will further my acquaintance with him."