winding stone stair, from which there were many flats,
let as offices to companies or professional men. The
names of the occupants were painted at the bottom on
the wall, but there was no such name as the
Franco-Midland Hardware Company, Limited. I stood for
a few minutes with my heart in my boots, wondering
whether the whole thing was an elaborate hoax or not,
when up came a man and addressed me. He was very like
the chap I had seen the night before, the same figure
and voice, but he was clean shaven and his hair was
lighter.

"'Are you Mr. Hall Pycroft?' he asked.

"'Yes,' said I.

"'Oh! I was expecting you, but you are a trifle before
your time. I had a note from my brother this morning
in which he sang your praises very loudly.'

"'I was just looking for the offices when you came.

"'We have not got our name up yet, for we only secured
these temporary premises last week. Come up with me,
and we will talk the matter over.'

"I followed him to the top of a very lofty stair, and
there, right under the slates, were a couple of empty,
dusty little rooms, uncarpeted and uncurtained, into
which he led me. I had thought of a great office with