round into Davies Street.

"I don't care what the mischief we do, Andrew," he confided, "but
couldn't you see what was going to happen? Oliver Hilditch was
going to introduce me as his preserver to the man who had just
arrived!"

"Are you afflicted with modesty, all of a sudden?" Wilmore
grumbled.

"No, remorse," was the terse reply.




CHAPTER V


Indecision had never been one of Francis Ledsam's faults, but
four times during the following day he wrote out a carefully
worded telegraphic message to Mrs. Oliver Hilditch, 10 b, Hill
Street, regretting his inability to dine that night, and each
time he destroyed it. He carried the first message around
Richmond golf course with him, intending to dispatch his caddy
with it immediately on the conclusion of the round. The fresh
air, however, and the concentration required by the game, seemed
to dispel the nervous apprehensions with which he had anticipated
his visit, and over an aperitif in the club bar he tore the
telegram into small pieces and found himself even able to derive
a certain half-fearful pleasure from the thought of meeting again