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"Harrington," nodded Fleetwood Siward nodded back Plank was silent

"Of course," continued Fleetwood, tentatively, "you people need not worry, with Howard Quarrier back of you"

Nobody said anything for a while Presently Siward's restless hands,on the table beside hi initials and scrolls on the in of a newspaper; and all the scrolls fra and twisting into endless variations of the letters S L

"Yes, I o to the office to-morrow," he repeated absently "I am better--in fact I am quite well, except for this sprain" He looked down at his bandaged foot, then his pencilthe endless variations on the two letters It was plain that he was tired

Fleetwood rose and made his adieux almost affectionately Plank moved forward on tiptoe, bulky and noiseless; and Siward held out his hand, saying soain?" asked Plank, red with embarrassment, yet so naively that at first Siward found no words to answer him; then-"Would you care to come, Mr Plank?"

"Yes"

Siward looked at him curiously, almost cautiously His first impressions of the man had been su that, as there in common between himself and such a type as Plank? He had not even troubled himself to avoid him at Shotover; he had merely been aware of him when Plank spoke to hi pool, when he had made one of his rare criticised, perhaps Siward had; for he found nothing offensive in the bulky youngparticularly attractive, either, except for a certain simplicity, a certain direct candour in the heavy blue eyes which ar when you have a few reat pleasure," said Plank, bowing

And that was all He followed Fleetwood down the stairs; Wands held their coats, and bowed theht

Siward, sitting beside his atched them enter their hansom and drive away up the avenue A dull flush had settled over his cheeks; the aro in the air, and he looked across the room at the decanter Presently he drank some of his tea, but it was lukewarm, and he pushed the cup froht the old butler, who toddled hither and thither, re about, until aa lamp She pulled down the shades, drew the sad-coloured curtains, went to the lass and a spoon to Siward, and ed, pere the position of his chair and footstool, and nodded thanks and dismissal