_Mister_ Osborne eagerly tore open an end of the envelope--a very aristocratic envelope, as I could readily discern--and extracted the letter. I closely watched his facial expressions. First, there was interest, then surprise, to be succeeded by amusement and a certain exultation. He slapped his thigh. "By George, Chuck. I'll do it!" "Do it? Now what?" "Listen to this." He cleared his throat, sniffed of the faintly scented paper and cleared his throat again. He looked up at me drolly. "Well?" said I, impatiently. I was as eager to hear it as he had been to read it. I believed that the mystery was about to be solved. "'James Osborne, Sir: I have been thinking the matter over seriously, and have come to the conclusion that there may have been a mistake. Undoubtedly my groom was primarily to blame. I have discharged him for neglecting his post of duty. I distinctly recall the manner in which you handled the horses last night. It may be possible that they ran away with you. However that may be, I find myself in need of a groom. Your horsemanship saved us from a serious accident. If you will promise to let whisky alone, besides bringing me a recommendation, and are without engagement, call at the inclosed address this afternoon at three o'clock. I should be willing to pay as much as forty dollars a month. You would be expected to accompany me on my morning rides.'" "She must have paid the fine," said I. "Well, it beats anything I ever heard of. Had you arrested, and now wants to employ you! What name did you say?" I asked carelessly. "I didn't say any name, Chuck,"--smiling. "And I'm not going to give any, you old duffer." "And why not?" "For the one and simple reason that I am going to accept the position,"--with a coolness that staggered me. "What?" I bawled. "Sure as life, as the policeman said last night." "You silly ass, you! Do you want to make the family a laughing-stock all over town?" I was really angry. "Neither the family nor the town will know anything about it,"--imperturbably. "But you will be recognized!" I remonstrated. "It's a clear case of insanity, after what has just happened to you." "I promise not to drink any whisky,"--soberly. "Bob, you are fooling me." "Not the littlest bit, Chuck. I've worn a beard for two years. No one would recognize me. Besides, being a groom, no one would pay any particular attention to me. Get the point?" "But what under the sun is your object?" I demanded. "There's something back of all this. It's not a simple lark like last night's." "Perspicacious man!"--railingly. "Possibly you may be right. Chuck, you know that I've just got to be doing something. I've been inactive too long. I am ashamed to say that I should tire of the house in a week or less. Change, change, of air, of place, of occupation; change--I must have it. It's food and drink." "You've met this woman before, somewhere."