Nearly everybody accepted--for the little fellow was a great favourite with everybody who knew him--and, as Shin Shira looked in every day to know how the replies were coming in, I was able to tell him in a few days that we might expect from twenty to twenty-five guests. From then till the date fixed Shin Shira was very busy, and I only saw him once or twice, and on the eventful day I did not see him at all. The Verrinder children were coming in the carriage with me, and, according to arrangement, we were the first to arrive. There was an awning at the door and a red carpet laid down the steps and across the pavement; the house was brilliantly lighted, and evidently grand preparations had been going on. I hurried up the steps, followed by Marjorie, Dick and Fidge. The servant who stood at the open door, and who knew me by sight, was looking very anxious, and whispered, "The housekeeper would like to speak to you at once in the dining-room, sir." "Anything the matter?" I asked. "Yes, sir, the master--he--he can't be found," said the man. I hurried down to the dining-room, and found the housekeeper in her best black silk dress, looking even more distressed than the manservant had been. "The master, sir," she began at once when I entered the room. "Whatever _is_ to be done? He can't be found anywhere--and the guests beginning to arrive--" "Never mind," said I, after thinking a moment. "I've no doubt he'll be here presently--and, in the meantime, as I know most if not all of the guests, I'll receive them, and explain that he has probably been called away and will no doubt be back presently." I hurried up into the drawing-room, and found that by this time several guests had arrived, and were looking greatly surprised at finding no host to receive them. I apologised for my friend as well as I was able, and pointed out that probably he would soon return, and, in the meantime, he would doubtless wish us to make ourselves at home. We found everything arranged for our comfort. Professional singers gave an excellent concert in the drawing-room--an excellent supper was served downstairs. The children were not forgotten, and, while the concert had been proceeding in the drawing-room, an amusing entertainment was provided for them in another room. Beside each plate at supper, also, there was a little present, chosen carefully, and our names written distinctly on each. Everything was thoroughly well thought out and provided for--but--there was no host to receive our thanks and to bid us "good-bye" when we went. The whole affair, therefore, though I naturally did my best for my friend's sake to "keep things going," concluded rather flatly, and I went home after it was all over feeling not a little depressed and anxious. I called the next day, and the day after, but Shin Shira had not returned, nor had anything been heard of, or from him.