"Why, isn't it the last condition of our experiments that we should have some one a slave, a dead man to the world, to use as we shall think fit? Here's your man. Do what you like to him afterwards. Let's make your rival a stepping-stone to your final success." Then the three men looked at each other in fear. Charliewood and Sir William Gouldesbrough were pale as linen, but the short, fat man was pink still, and laughed and chuckled nervously. CHAPTER VI "WILL YOU WALK INTO MY PARLOUR?" Mr. Eustace Charliewood's chambers were in Jermyn Street. But few of his many friends had ever seen the interior of them. Such entertaining as the man about town did--and he was always one of those who were entertained, rather than one of those who offer hospitality--was done at his club. The man who looked after the place and valeted his master was therefore the more surprised when Charliewood had called him up one morning after breakfast. "Look here, William," Charliewood had said, "I've got a gentleman coming to dinner. We've some business to talk over, so I shan't dine him at the club. I suppose you can manage a little dinner here?" "Certainly, sir, if necessary," the man answered. "Of course you're not in the habit of dining at home, and you've not got your own things. That is if you mean a proper little dinner, sir." "I do, I do, William," his master answered hurriedly. "But, there, that needn't matter," the man answered, "we can have everything in if you like, sir." "That will be best," Charliewood answered. "I leave everything to you, William. Except," he added as an afterthought, "the menu. I want a small dinner, William, but quite good. Shall we say a little _bisque_ for the soup? Then perhaps a small Normandy sole. Afterwards a chicken cooked _en casserole_. As an _entrée_ some white truffles stewed in Sillery--you can get them in glass jars from Falkland & Masons--and then a morsel of Brie and some coffee. That will do, I think." "And about the wine, sir?" said William, astonished at these unaccustomed preparations, and inwardly resolving that Mr. Eustace Charliewood had discovered a very brightly plumed pigeon to pluck. "Oh, about the wine! Well, I think I'll see to that myself. I'll have it sent up from the club. You've an ice-pail for the champagne, haven't you, William?" "Yes, sir, we certainly have _that_." "Very good then. We'll say at eight then." William bowed and withdrew.