"If only Dr.Spiller had sent me a wire yesterday," he exclaimed vexedly, "he had my address in the country, I should have been saved a useless visit to London!" "He couldn't have let you know in time, for the matter was only settled this morning." There was a pause, and then the speaker added: "You will send in a minute of your expenses, of course ?" Dr.Panton bowed stiffly.

He felt that he had been badly treated.
"I'm sorry you have been put to this inconvenience," and the courteous Home Office official really did look distressed.

He waited a moment.

"I think you know a friend of mine, Miss Blanche Farrow, Dr.Panton ?" he said a little awkwardly.
"Yes; we've both been staying in the same house for the New Year." Panton's good-humour had come back; he was telling himself, with some amusement, how very small the world is, after all! There was a pause, and then Panton asked: "Do you happen to know Lionel Varick, who owns the beautiful house where Miss Farrow and I have both been staying, Mr .-- er-- ?" "Gifford," supplied the other quickly.

"Yes, I have been slightly acquainted with Mr.Varick for some years." A very uncomfortable, peculiar look came over the speaker's face.