"Mr. Herbert seemed surprised, distinctly surprised. He was only half through the door at the time. "'Eighteen thousand dollars. It cost twenty,'--after he's caught his breath. "'It cost _you_ fifteen even. I've been to some trouble to find out.' "'You can't know the place, Mr.--Mr. Roberts.' "'Yes. Top of the hill. Faces east and north. Terra cotta, brick. For reasons you know best it's been vacant for a month now.' "'You can't know the inside, I mean. It's finished in solid hardwood, every inch.' "'Yes, I've seen it; oak in front, mahogany in the dining-room, rosewood in the den. I've seen it.' "'When? I've lived there nine years until just lately. Not in that time.' "'Yes, during that time. I was at a party there once,--a university party which Mrs. Herbert gave.' "'All right. Maybe you know.' "'Unquestionably. I repeat the place cost you fifteen thousand.' "'The price now is eighteen.' "'You don't wish to sell--at fifteen?' "'No.' "'That's all, then.' "'Roberts--confound it--' "'I'm sorry to have bothered you. I thought you wished to sell.' "'I've got to, but I don't have to give it away.' "'I repeat I'm sorry to have bothered you.' "'I'll see you again; to-morrow perhaps--' "'I shall be very busy to-morrow. To-day's a holiday.' "'A holiday! Anyway I haven't the abstract.' "'Unnecessary. I said I knew all about the place. I see the deed there in your pocket. You anticipated, I see.' "'Well, of all the inexplicable hurry!' "'Shall I write you a check for--fifteen thousand?'" Darley Roberts halted. For the third time he laughed. "You gather, perhaps," he said, "that I bought a house this morning. Afterward I bought a few other things--just a few. After that I moved in; into two rooms. I've had rather a busy day, all told, celebrating--celebrating December the sixth.... How about it, Elice, now that I've elaborated. Any signs of senility, irresponsibility, yet?" "No," very steadily. "It seems perfectly natural to me for a man to want a house." "Perhaps you're right. Yes; I do want a house, no doubt about it; particularly that house. I've been intending to own it sometime for quite a spell--for some eight years now; to be exact, since the time I saw it before.... You know the place, don't you?" "Yes, very well." "I fancied so.... By the way, do you recall that--occasion I referred to?" "Indistinctly." "I fancied that too.... You don't remember by any chance what a lion I was that night?" "No, Mr. Roberts." "Not 'no, Darley'?" "No."