I would not appeal to his generosity--of that I had been determined--through any shadow of misunderstanding. He bore the blow like a Briton, a little huskily, with a little affectation, in the first of the shock, of bending down to tie his shoe. “O!” he said, rising apoplectic, and with a quivering lip. “I’m sure I give you joy, old boy. I could never quite believe, you know, in your indifference. Who could, with such a prize before him? It’s all in the right order of things, you know; like--like the _honi soit_, and _quis separabit_ and the rest of them. I hope Lord Skene approves?” “Not he.” “Then he’s no gentleman.” “He’s no fool, perhaps. Johnny, I’ve come primed with an enormous budget of news to explode on you.” “Explode away, then.” Whether it was the sobering effect of my first astounding stroke, or the absence of emotional distractions, I don’t know; but he received my story from beginning to end this time with a grasp and understanding that were positively pathetic. “I’ll tell you,” he said, when I had reached a finish. “You must come with me to-morrow and see Shapter. He’s our family solicitor, and as sharp as flints. This thing’s got beyond the private and personal note--don’t you agree with me?” “I’m afraid I must, Johnny.” “Now, look here, Dicky; you’re giving me my first chance at what I have always pined for and never had the luck nor the figure to get--a personal part in a real, picturesque, mystery-and-murder romance. I’m not going to be excused out of it, nor forbidden to engineer it as lavish as I please. It’s the great opportunity of my life, and I shall take it unkind if you refuse me a free hand to work it. You’re not to have a share at all in the financing of the venture--you understand that. If I allowed you one, it would rub all the gilt off my own make-believe.” I understood him, and his fine delicacy. This was his way of assuring me the practical help which I could not but need. “Put it as you like, Johnny,” I said. “You’re a dear good fellow every way.” “Very well,” he answered; “that’s understood. Shapter will stage-manage the thing, and all we’ve got to do is to dress up and play our parts like professionals. My eye! I hope there’s a coronet among the properties. You see, it’s got to the point when, in my opinion, a reputable independent witness is not only wanted, but indispensable. You can’t run this any longer on your own responsibility--you might get into no end of scrapes; and, as to me, why, I haven’t shown any partic’lar gift for doing the detective, have I?” “You betray a tendency, perhaps, Johnny, to jump too hastily to conclusions.” “Ah! you may go into fits, if you like. I had my turn of ’em with Drysalter. My word he _was_ a pepper-castor! I say, Dick----” “Yes, Johnny?” “You’re quite sure you and Miss Christmas are engaged?” “Perfectly certain, Johnny.” “You ain’t by chance thinking of anybody else, similar sort of name, are you?” “No; there’s no mistake about it.” “Ah!”