as Octavian conscientiously repeated the formula of his penance he felt
certain that three pairs of solemn eyes were watching his moth-shared
vigil.

And the next morning his eyes were gladdened by a sheet of copy-book
paper lying beside the blank wall, on which was written the message "Un-
Beast."




THE PHANTOM LUNCHEON


"The Smithly-Dubbs are in Town," said Sir James. "I wish you would show
them some attention. Ask them to lunch with you at the Ritz or
somewhere."

"From the little I've seen of the Smithly-Dubbs I don't thing I want to
cultivate their acquaintance," said Lady Drakmanton.

"They always work for us at election times," said her husband; "I don't
suppose they influence very many votes, but they have an uncle who is on
one of my ward committees, and another uncle speaks sometimes at some of
our less important meetings. Those sort of people expect some return in
the shape of hospitality."

"Expect it!" exclaimed Lady Drakmanton; "the Misses Smithly-Dubb do more
than that; they almost demand it. They belong to my club, and hang about
the lobby just about lunch-time, all three of them, with their tongues