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"I like it," said Plank, under his breath

Fleetwood stared, then shrugged, and returned to the atch a brand-new French motor-car drawn up before a modern mansion across the avenue

The butler returned presently, saying that Mr Sias at home and would receive them in the library above, as he was not yet able to pass up and down stairs

"I didn't knoas as ill as that," muttered Fleetwood, as he and Plank followed the oldstairway But Gu in an ar extended, his left foot, stiffly cased in bandages, resting on a footstool

"Why, Stephen!" exclai forward, "I didn't know you were laid up like this!"

Siward offered his hand inquiringly; then his eyes turned toward Plank, who stood behind Fleetwood; and, slowly disengaging his hand frorip, he offered it to Plank

"It is very kind of you," he said "Gumble, Mr Fleetwood prefers rye, for some inscrutable reason Mr Plank?" His smile was a question

"If you don't mind," said Plank, "I should like to have some tea--that is, if--"

"Tea, Gumble, for two We'll tipple in coars are at your elbow, Billy," with another shted his cigar, "what is the lanced at his stiffly extended foot "Nothing much" He reddened faintly, "I slipped It's only a twisted ankle"

For a moment or two the answer satisfied Fleetwood, then a sudden, curious flash of suspicion calanced sharply at Siward, who lowered his eyes, while the red tint in his hollow cheeks deepened

Neither spoke for a while Plank sipped the tea which Wands, the second ht Siward brooded over his cup, head bent Fleetwood made more noise than necessary with his ice

"Iout the old rye from the quaint decanter "Why did you drop the Saddle Club, Stephen?"

"I'; I have no use for it," replied Siward

"You've cut out the Proscenium Club, too, and the Owl's Head, and the Trophy It's a shame, Stephen"

"I'm tired of clubs"

"Don't talk that way"

"Very well, I won't," said Siward, sesture toward the ; "all the gossip the newspapers miss I've talked Dr Grisby to death; I've talked Gu on, Billy?"

So Fleetwood sketched for hi various episodes in the social kaleidoscope which ossiped cynically, but without ees, and divorces, plans and ambitions; about those absent from the metropolis and the newcomers to be welcomed He commented briefly on the opera, reviewed the newer plays at the theatres, touched on the now doraiety which had made the season at nearby country clubs conspicuous; then drifted into the hunting field, gossiping pleasantly in the vernacular about horses and packs and drag-hunts and stables, and what people thought of the new English hounds of the trial pack, and how the new M F H, Maitland Gray, had ed to break so many bones at Southbury