off the carriage-room. There was a cot, running water and a wash-
stand, and a boot-blacking apparatus. For the rest, there were a few
portraits of fast horses, fighters, and toe-dancers (the adjective
qualifying all three!) which the senator's sporting groom had
collected and tacked to the walls. For appearance's sake, Mr. James
had purchased a cheap trunk. Everything inside was new, too. His
silver military brushes, his silver shaving set, and so forth and so
forth, were in charge of a safe-deposit storage company, alongside
some one's family jewels. The only incriminating things he retained
were his signet-ring and his Swiss timepiece.

"Have you had your breakfast, sir?" asked William, the stable-boy.

"Yes, my lad. Now, as Miss Annesley has forgotten it, perhaps you
will tell me of just what my duties here will consist."

"You harness, ride and drive, sir, and take care of the metals. I
clean the leathers and carriages, exercise the horses and keep their
hides shiny. If anything is purchased, sir, we shall have to depend
upon your judgment. Are you given to cussing, sir?"

"Cussing?" repeated Warburton.

"Yes, sir. Miss Annesley won't stand for it around the stables. The
man before you, sir, could cuss most beautifully; and I think that's
why he was fired. At least, it was one reason."

Warburton smoothed his twitching mouth. "Don't you worry, William;
it's against my religion to use profane language."