"Oh, I can't do that," objected Mark. "You see, the old lady really is very seedy. She's going to have an operation in about a month's time, and meanwhile she's got to keep to her bed. She's simply set her heart on having Mary to come and look after her, and I couldn't be such an utterly selfish pig as to go and put any difficulties in the way." "No, I don't suppose you could," admitted Colin. "That sort of thing requires a lot of practice." "We've talked it over," continued Mark, "and we've decided that the best plan would be to try and find some nice, sensible girl who'd come in for the day and make herself generally useful. Of course, it isn't exactly easy to get hold of the right person. I want a really capable, honest, pleasant girl, who can type and keep accounts, and who'll take a kind of personal interest in the whole show." "You don't want much," observed Colin drily. "Well, I'm prepared to pay for it, and if she turned out to be any use I'd keep her on permanently. I've been meaning to do something of the sort for the last six months. Mary's been working far too hard, and I'm making such a sinful amount of money I can quite well afford a little extra help." He pushed away his empty oyster shells and beckoned to the waiter. "We'd better order some more grub, eh? Can you manage a cold grouse?" "With ease," said Colin. He remained silent until the man had departed, and then, picking up the Chablis, refilled his glass. "But where do I come in?" he inquired. "You're not expecting me to produce angels out of my waistcoat pocket?" "We thought you might be able to recommend somebody. Mary said that a young, dashing, good-looking fellow like you----" "She was pulling your leg," protested Colin. "She knows perfectly well that I'm terrified of girls." "How about the hospital? Haven't you a pretty, intelligent nurse who'd like a nice Christian home?" "I've never noticed her if we have." He paused as the recollection of his conversation with Sir George Onslow suddenly flashed into his mind. "By Jove!" he added. "That reminds me. I haven't told you my great news yet. I'm chucking the hospital and going as bottle-washer to old Carter." His companion stared at him half incredulously. "Is this a fact?" he demanded. "Well, it's practically settled. I've had nothing to do with it really; Onslow's worked the whole thing for me. I'd just finished talking to him when you rang up." In a few words he described his interview with Sir George and the curious information which the latter had given him with regard to the professor's requirements. "I can't say if I shall fit the bill," he added, laughing, "but if the old boy takes a fancy to me I don't care how many damned burglars he has. I'd tackle half a dozen a night for the sake of being his assistant."