"Only," he would add, "should you be acquainted with the editor, don't mention my contributions to him." From this we saw that Jimmy and the editor had an understanding on the subject, though we were never agreed which of them it was who had sworn the other to secrecy.

We were proud of Jimmy's connection with the press, and every week we discussed his latest article.

Jimmy never told us, except in a roundabout way, which were his articles; but we knew his style, and it was quite exhilarating to pick out his contributions week by week.

We were never baffled, for "Jimmy's touches" were unmistakable; and "Have you seen Jimmy this week in the _Saturday_ on Lewis Morris ?" or, "I say, do you think Buchanan knows it was Jimmy who wrote that ?" was what we said when we had lighted our pipes.
Now I come to the incident that drew from Jimmy his extraordinary statement.

I was smoking with him in his rooms one evening, when a clatter at his door was followed by a thud on the floor.