CHAPTER III.


A READY-MONEY MAN

"I want you," bawled the gentleman with the diamond, like a rustic
washerwoman summoning her offspring to a task. "I've got a little matter
for you to look after. S'pose you come around to dinner, and we can talk
it over."

"I'm engaged to dine with this gentleman," said Davenport, coolly.

"Well, that's all right," said the newcomer. "This gentleman can come,
too."

"We prefer to dine here," said Davenport, with firmness. "We have our own
reasons. I can meet you later."

"No, you can't, because I've got other business later. But if you're
determined to dine here, I can dine here just as well. So come on and
dine."

Davenport looked at the man wearily, and at Larcher apologetically; then
introduced the former to the latter by the name of Bagley. Vouchsafing a
brief condescending glance and a rough "How are you," Mr. Bagley led the
way into the eating-house, Davenport chagrinned on Larcher's account, and