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It was on a Monday evening that Ricardo saw Harry Wetherether On the Tuesday he saw Wethermill in the

rooms alone and had soht, and about ten o'clock the

two o?" asked Wethermill

"Up the hill to the Hotel Majestic," said Ricardo

"We go together, then I, too, a

ether Ricardo was

dying to put soht before, but discretion kept him reluctantly silent They

chatted for a few moments in the hall upon indifferent topics and

so separated for the night Mr Ricardo, however, was to learn

so; for while he was fixing

his tie before the -rooe of his indignation

Such an invasion was an unprecedented outrage upon the gentle

tenor of his life The business of thetoilette was

sacred To interrupt it carried a subtle suggestion of anarchy

Where was his valet? Where was Charles, who should have guarded

the door like the custodian of a chapel?

"I cannot speak to you for at least another half-hour," said Mr

Ricardo, sternly

But Harry Wetheritation

"I can't wait," he cried, with a passionate appeal "I have got to

see you You must help me, Mr Ricardo--you must, indeed!"

Ricardo spun round upon his heel At first he had thought that the

help wanted was the help usually wanted at Aix-les-Bains A glance

at Wetheruish in

his voice, told hi Mr Ricardo

slipped out of his affectations as out of a loose coat "What has

happened?" he asked quietly

"Soers Wethermill held out a