"I have a most brilliant idea.
You shall give us a little supper at your rooms and invite the Bellinghams to meet us.

Then you and I will attack the old gentleman, and Thorndyke shall exercise his persuasive powers on the lady.

These chronic and incurable old bachelors, you know, are quite irresistible." "You observe that my respected junior condemns me to lifelong celibacy," Thorndyke remarked.

"But," he added, "his suggestion is quite a good one.

Of course, we mustn't put any sort of pressure on Bellingham to employ us--for that is what it amounts to, even if we accept no payment--but a friendly talk over the supper-table would enable us to put the matter delicately and yet convincingly." "Yes," said I, "I see that, and I like the idea immensely.