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Bruce Cheniston looked away quickly Somehow he did not care toonly I would like to ask of you" Anstice'sa favour "If Miss Wayne rerily, suspecting sarcash to let me know?"

"Certainly" Cheniston was suddenly anxious to leave the house, to quit the presence of this man who spoke so quietly even while his black eyes flaard face "I will try my luck at once--within the next week or two See here, Miss Wayne's birthday dance comes off shortly If, after that, I have not won her consent, I will quit the field Is that fair?"

"Quite fair" Suddenly Anstice laughed harshly "And you think I can then step forward and try my luck Why, you fool, can't you see that for both of us this is the psychological s back now is lost? I ao forward and seize the golden reed, and you've got your way; but for God's sake go before I repent of the bargain"

Cheniston, startled by his manner, moved backward suddenly; and a chair went over with a crash which set the nerves of bothe--"perhaps you'll be good enough to clear out I won't pretend I'ht!"

Cheniston picked up the chair, and placed it against the table with quite h theover his face with an odd effect of light and shadow, had after all come off the best in this horrible interview "I--I suppose it's no use saying any more, Anstice You know, after all"--in spite of his words he felt an irresistible inclination to justify hi----"

"Well? Have I denied it?" Now his tone was coldly dangerous "I have promised to pay a debt which after all was incurred quite blamelessly; but if you expect me to enter into further details of the transaction, you are out in your reckoning"

"I see" Suddenly the resentment which Cheniston had felt for thisflamed into active hatred "Well, I have your word, and that's enough As you say, this is a business transaction, and the less said the better Good night"