would not present the letter, despite the fact that Archie had
with great persistence wrung from me a promise to do so. I had met
many English gentlemen, and I felt they were not the sort--despite
the example of Archie--to take a wandering American to their bosoms
when he came with a mere letter. By easy stages I came on to London.
Here I met a friend, just sailing for home, who told me of some sad
experiences he had had with letters of introduction--of the cold,
fishy, "My-dear-fellow-why-trouble-me-with-it?" stares that had
greeted their presentation. Good-hearted men all, he said, but
averse to strangers; an ever-present trait in the English--always
excepting Archie.

So I put the letter to Captain Fraser-Freer out of my mind. I had
business acquaintances here and a few English friends, and I found
these, as always, courteous and charming. But it is to my advantage
to meet as many people as may be, and after drifting about for a
week I set out one afternoon to call on my captain. I told myself
that here was an Englishman who had perhaps thawed a bit in the
great oven of India. If not, no harm would be done.

It was then that I came for the first time to this house on Adelphi
Terrace, for it was the address Archie had given me. Walters let
me in, and I learned from him that Captain Fraser-Freer had not yet
arrived from India. His rooms were ready--he had kept them during
his absence, as seems to be the custom over here--and he was
expected soon. Perhaps--said Walters--his wife remembered the
date. He left me in the lower hall while he went to ask her.

Waiting, I strolled to the rear of the hall. And then, through an
open window that let in the summer, I saw for the first time that