"Because," said Aldrich, "it seems you have SEVERAL names. As one
of them belongs to THIS gentleman"--he pointed at Stumps--"he wants
to know why you are using it."

I looked at Stumps and he greeted me with the vague and genial
smile that was habitual to him, but on being caught in the act by
Aldrich he hurriedly frowned.

"I have never used any name but my own," I said; "and," I added
pleasantly, "if I were choosing a name I wouldn't choose 'Stumps.'"

Aldrich fairly gasped.

"His name is not Stumps!" he cried indignantly. "He is the Earl of
Ivy!"

He evidently expected me to be surprised at this, and I WAS
surprised. I stared at the much-advertised young Irishman with
interest.

Aldrich misunderstood my silence, and in a triumphant tone, which
was far from pleasant, continued: "So you see," he sneered, "when
you chose to pass yourself off as Ivy you should have picked out
another boat."

The thing was too absurd for me to be angry, and I demanded with
patience: "But why should I pass myself off as Lord Ivy?"

"That's what we intend to find out," snapped Aldrich. "Anyway,