"Off somewhere, eh ?" "Spent the evening out," answered Fullaway.

"Not often I do, but I did--for once in a way.

Van Koon and I (you don't know Van Koon, do you ?--he's a fellow countryman of mine, stopping here for the summer, and a very clever man) we dined at the Carlton, and then went to the Haymarket Theatre.

I was going to ask you to join us, Allerdyke, but you were out and hadn't come in by the time we had to go." "Thank you--no, I didn't get in until seven o'clock or so," answered Allerdyke.

"So I'd a quiet evening." "No news, I suppose ?" asked Fullaway, going vigorously forward with his breakfast.