"I beg pardon, sir, for addressing you just now as Lord Hartledon."

The salutation took Val by surprise; and though the voice seemed muffled,
as though the man purposely mouthed his words, the accent and language
were superior to anything he might have expected from one of Mr. Pike's
appearance and reputed character.

"No matter," said Val, courteous even to Pike, in his kindly nature. "You
mistook me for my brother. Many do."

"Not I," returned the man, assuming a freedom and a roughness at variance
with his evident intelligence. "I know you for the Honourable Percival
Elster."

"Ah," said Mr. Elster, a slight curiosity stirring his mind, but not
sufficient to induce him to follow it up.

"But I like to do a good turn if I can," pursued Pike; "and I think, sir,
I did one to you in calling you Lord Hartledon."

Val Elster had been passing on. He turned and looked at the man.

"Are you in any little temporary difficulty, might I ask?" continued
Pike. "No offense, sir; princes have been in such before now."

Val Elster was so supremely conscious, especially in that reflective
hour, of being in a "little difficulty" that might prove more than
temporary, that he could only stare at the questioner and wait for more.