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266 which I attach importance, I consider we are quits, and I shall withdraw with dignity. Your sincere well-wisher,, Poet.'

'Just like him!' Charles said, 'to hold this one last coup over my head in terrorem. Though even when he has played it, why should I trust his word? A scamp like that may say it, of course, on purpose to disarm me.'

For my own part, I quite agreed with 'Margot.' When the Colonel was reduced to dressing the part of a known personage I felt he had reached almost his last card, and would be well advised to retire into Surrey.

But the magazine editor summed up all in a word. 'Don't believe that nonsense about fortunes being made by industry and ability,' he said. 'In life, as at cards, two things go to produce success—the first is chance; the second is cheating.'