and, throwing open the door, deposited it on the landing
outside. Its leather companion was then placed
beside it, the hat-case crowning the whole.

Mike's voice was now heard in the narrow front hall.
"How fur is it up, mum? Oh, another flight! Begorra,
it's as dark as a coal-hole and about as dirty!"
This was followed by: "Oh, is that you, sor? How
many pieces have you?"

"Only two, Mike; and the mackintosh and hat-
case," answered Felix, who had watched him stumbling
up the stairs until his red face was level with
the landing. "By the way, mind you don't lose the
rubber coat, for, although I never wear an overcoat,
this comes in well when it rains."

"I'll never take me eyes off it. I bet ye niver bought
that down on the Bowery from a Johnny-hand-me-down!"

"And, Mike!"

"Yes, sor?"

"Will you please say to Mrs. Cleary that I may not
be in to-night before eleven o'clock?"

"Eleven! Why that's the shank o' the evenin' for
her, sor. If it was twelve, or after, she'd be up." Then
he bent forward and whispered: "I should think ye