Abruptly he dropped them; his big face grew livid. The Captain, holding the ear in that vice-grip, had merely turned it slightly backward. The man groaned; beads of perspiration started on his brow. “Repeat, after me, ‘I humbly beg, sir, for the lady’s pardon.’” Faintly: “I humbly . . . beg, sir . . . for . . . my Gawd! . . . the lidy’s pardon!” “And abjectly entreat you to forgive me!” “And . . . abjec . . . abjec’y entreat . . . you to forgive . . . me!” “Get up!” The victim struggled erect. He met the quelling gaze. “Any repetition of the offence means that my man will wait upon you—and bring a horse-whip!” The fellow scrambled aside, and raised a quivering hand to his forehead. Captain O’Hagan, swinging his monocle, strode to the stage-door. ————— III. IN THE DRESSING-ROOM. To the stage door-keeper said O’Hagan: “Has Miss Chatterton appeared yet?” “She has, sir.” “Is she in her dressing-room?” “I believe so, sir.” “Has she a private dressing-room?” “Yes, sir.” “Is she dressed, yet?” “She must be, sir. She finished over half-an-hour ago, and a gentleman went up some time since.” “What number is her room?” “It’s Number Six, sir, but——” Captain O’Hagan placed half-a-crown upon the window-ledge and stepped along the passage. “Excuse me, sir!” The man came running from his box. O’Hagan turned, glass raised. “You wished to speak to me?” “Thank you very much, sir, but I must take your card through first, or——” “My name is Captain O’Hagan. I have business with Miss Chatterton.” He proceeded, unruffled. “You’ll get me into trouble, sir——” O’Hagan, over his shoulder: “I esteem your regard for duty, my man. Rely upon me.” He was gone. The door-keeper scratched his head. Ascending a flight of stone steps, the Captain came to a landing, a door opening upon it. The door was ajar and bore no number, but voices might be heard proceeding from the room beyond. O’Hagan rapped, and opened the door. Several gentlemen, in several stages of undress, all looked up from their several toilettes. “I fear I intrude,” said O’Hagan, holding his monocle before his right eye and examining the occupants of the apartment with a kind of genial curiosity. “I wish to find room number six.” “Next floor, second door,” volunteered a young man in underwear. “I am indebted.” O’Hagan withdrew and proceeded upstairs. Room six showed a closed door. O’Hagan knocked. “Who’s there?” inquired a masculine voice. O’Hagan entered. A golden-headed lady, who was arranging a rare exotic in hats upon her elaborate coiffure, fixed wondering eyes upon the intruder. A maid glanced up from where she knelt beside a large basket; and a dark-haired, perfectly groomed young man, of military bearing, rose hurriedly from his seat upon a second and even larger basket. Captain O’Hagan bowed.