He made an appointment by telegraph with Bilton for the next morning, and at the hour waited on him at his office in Pall Mall. He had always rather liked the man; his practical shrewdness, the entire absence of what might be called 'nonsense' about him, a certain hard, definite clearness about him and his ways, was somehow satisfactory to the mind. And this morning these characteristics were peculiarly developed. He gave Bertie a blunt and genuine welcome. 'Delighted to see you,' he said. 'Just come over, haven't you? Smoke?' Bertie took a cigarette. 'I've called about some business connected with Mrs. Emsworth,' he said. 'I am here to settle it.' Bilton looked puzzled a moment. 'Mrs. Emsworth?' he said. 'Business with Mrs. Emsworth? Ah, I remember. She sent me certain instructions some time ago. Let's see; where did I put them?' He took down an alphabetical letter-case from a shelf, and after a short search drew out a packet. 'That's it,' he said. 'Ah, I see there is no discussion to pass between us. Curious love of mystery a woman has, especially when there is nothing to make a mystery about, as I dare say is the case here.' 'You don't know what the business is?' asked Bertie. 'I only know these instructions, and one of them, if you will pardon me reminding you, is that no discussion is to pass between us. You are to deliver to me a cheque, which I am to place to her account, and I am to deliver to you a sealed packet. This is it, is it not? Yes. You are also to deliver to me a certain letter which I am to verify, and then destroy in your presence.' 'I heard nothing of that,' said Bertie. 'It is in my instructions,' said Bilton. 'I can't give up that letter,' said Bertie. 'It----' He stopped. Bilton got up. 'I am afraid I can do nothing, then,' he said, 'except fulfil the rest of Mrs. Emsworth's directions, and, if this is not done by the evening of January 7, to-day, give the packet to Mr. Palmer.' He referred again to one of the papers he had taken out. 'Yes, give the packet to Mr. Palmer,' he repeated. 'Which you intend to do?' Bertie asked. 'Certainly. At the same time, I may tell you that I have written a very strong letter to Mrs. Emsworth, protesting against her making use of me in--in private matters of this kind. I am a busy man'--and he looked at his watch--'I have no taste for other people's intrigues.'