The waiter, in his corner, was absorbed over a second newspaper. Three
gentlemen, at three different tables, were absorbed in a third, fourth,
and fifth newspaper. They all alike went on with their reading without
noticing the entrance of the stranger. Julius ventured on disturbing
the waiter by asking for Mr. Geoffrey Delamayn. At the sound of that
illustrious name the waiter looked up with a start. "Are you Mr.
Delamayn's brother, Sir?"

"Yes."

The three gentlemen at the tables looked up with a start. The light of
Geoffrey's celebrity fell, reflected, on Geoffrey's brother, and made a
public character of him.

"You'll find Mr. Geoffrey, Sir," said the waiter, in a flurried, excited
manner, "at the Cock and Bottle, Putney."

"I expected to find him here. I had an appointment with him at this
hotel."

The wait er opened his eyes on Julius with an expression of blank
astonishment. "Haven't you heard the news, Sir?"

"No!"

"God bless my soul!" exclaimed the waiter--and offered the newspaper.

"God bless my soul!" exclaimed the three gentlemen--and offered the
three newspapers.