strip of paper fluttering in his fingers. Richard placed it in his desk.
Taking a similar strip from his writing pad he gave it to Mr. Gwynn.

"My own check for eleven thousand six hundred and forty dollars, Mr.
Gwynn," said Richard. "I make you a present of it. That is to save your
credit. Hereafter, when you see a chance to play the scoundrel, before
you embrace it, please measure the probable pillage and let me know. I
will then give you the amount. In that way you will have the profits of
every act of villainy you might commit, while missing the mud and mire
of its accomplishment. Remember, Mr. Gwynn; I will not tolerate a
rascal."

"You are extremely good, sir," said the frozen Mr. Gwynn.

Mrs. Hanway-Harley placed Mr. Gwynn on her right hand, a distinction
which that personage bore with a petrified grace most beautiful to look
upon. Senator Hanway was on the other side of Mr. Gwynn. The party was
not large--eight in all--and, besides the trio named and Mr. Harley,
counted such partisans of Senator Hanway as Senators Gruff and Kink and
Wink and Loot and Price. Mr. Gwynn was delighted to meet so much good
company, and intimated it in a manner decorously conventional.

"Isn't he utterly English, and therefore utterly admirable?" whispered
Mrs. Hanway-Harley to Senator Loot.

That statesman agreed to this as well as he could with a mouth at work
on fish.

"Mr. Gwynn," said Mrs. Hanway-Harley affably, "I shall make the most of
you while I may. You know I only intend to see you gentlemen safely