and as I slowed down a familiar figure came out of the bank next door.

Ivery beamed recognition. 'Up for the day, Mr Brand?' he asked.
'I have to see my brokers,' I said, 'read the South African
papers in my club, and get back by the 5.16. Any chance of
your company?'

'Why, yes - that's my train. _Au _revoir. We meet at the station.'
He bustled off, looking very smart with his neat clothes and a rose
in his button-hole.

I lunched impatiently, and at two was turning over some new
books in Traill's shop with an eye on the street-door behind me. It
seemed a public place for an assignation. I had begun to dip into a
big illustrated book on flower-gardens when an assistant came up.
'The manager's compliments, sir, and he thinks there are some old
works of travel upstairs that might interest you.' I followed him
obediently to an upper floor lined with every kind of volume and
with tables littered with maps and engravings. 'This way, sir,' he
said, and opened a door in the wall concealed by bogus book-
backs. I found myself in a little study, and Blenkiron sitting in an
armchair smoking.

He got up and seized both my hands. 'Why, Dick, this is better
than good noos. I've heard all about your exploits since we parted a
year ago on the wharf at Liverpool. We've both been busy on our
own jobs, and there was no way of keeping you wise about my
doings, for after I thought I was cured I got worse than hell inside,
and, as I told you, had to get the doctor-men to dig into me. After
that I was playing a pretty dark game, and had to get down and out of