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 public, I don't propose to sell my novel on the strength of Louis XI. or The South Pole. I want the public to be unbiassed. Then besides," he added, after a pause, "I am going to try an experiment."

There was a look in his eye which suddenly reminded me of that talk at the Pow-wow. Was it possible that John had written a novel for the purpose of clinching an argument? Nothing could have been, after all, more in character. But I curbed my curiosity and amusement, and asked, innocently enough: "Have you chosen your nom-de-plume?"

"Yes, just about. I am going to use a woman's name."

"You don't say so! And what is the name?

"Well, I have had several in mind. I should like to know what you think of," here he fixed me with his eye, as though he had been taking aim, and said, with a lingering emphasis—"Lilian Leslie Lamb"?