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166 information, even if he had received a black eye, which was very seldom. These proclivities of Stranleigh's are deplorable, and must be censured by every good citizen, forming, as they do, another argument in favour of the abolition of the House of Lords.

"I'll give you more than a moment; I'll give you a sovereign," said his lordship, as he turned round. "You're new at the begging business, I take it."

"Yes, my lord, I am."

Lord Stranleigh rarely betrayed evidence of emotion, but on this occasion he drew in his breath sharply as he met the gaze of the man who had followed him. The ornamental twin street lamps which stood before the door of Stranleigh House shone full upon the person who had spoken to him. The singularly greenish pallor of the skin, the extraordinary emaciation of the face, so great that the cheek-bones seemed almost protruding, the ghastly smile revealing two rows of teeth, gave the head the appearance of a grinning skull. In an instant Stranleigh saw that this was no beggar: he was well-dressed, and spoke with the accents of a gentleman. He slipped the sovereign back into his trousers pocket.

"Lord save us, man, you shouldn't be out in the night air at this time of the morning. You should be in bed."

"I know that, my lord, but you stopped late at