"I never thought he would. It's not in his line."

"Mrs. Trent, you must understand," she went on, addressing the ex-
magistrate, "has placed us all under a debt of gratitude. She has
decorated the old lounge hall upstairs most beautifully, and has
secured the services of the sweetest little orchestra."

"But this is Roman magnificence."

"Backhouse thinks the spirits should be treated with more deference,"
laughed Faull.

"Surely, Mr. Backhouse--a poetic environment..."

"Pardon me. I am a simple man, and always prefer to reduce things to
elemental simplicity. I raise no opposition, but I express my
opinion. Nature is one thing, and art is another."

"And I am not sure that I don't agree with you," said the ex-
magistrate. "An occasion like this ought to be simple, to guard
against the possibility of deception--if you will forgive my
bluntness, Mr. Backhouse."

"We shall sit in full light," replied Backhouse, "and every
opportunity will be given to all to inspect the room. I shall also
ask you to submit me to a personal examination."

A rather embarrassed silence followed. It was broken by the arrival
of two more guests, who entered together. These were Prior, the
prosperous City coffee importer, and Lang, the stockjobber, well