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194 Review there on the 25th, 26th, and 27th of this month?"

"No, I didn't know that."

"Then, of course, you don't know that Lord Stranleigh is going overland, and that he detests railway travel when he can get to his destination in something that floats?"

"Well, go on."

"I have in my possession, through the kindness of the Spanish Consul, an invitation to that Review made out in the name of the Honourable John Hazel."

"The deuce you say!"

John Hazel drank a whole glass of champagne at a gulp. He was beginning to feel the slush of the gutter round his feet.

"Go on," he said.

"I have engaged a yacht at Southampton—The Lady of the Lake. Perhaps you know her?"

"No, I don't."

"Well, Lord Stranleigh's yacht is called The Woman in White, taken from Wilkie Collins's novel. The Lady of the Lake, taken from Sir Walter Scott, should be a better title, don't you think?"

"Literature isn't my strong point, Mr. Isaacstein; and please remember I'm here on business."

"That's right. The Lady of the Lake is large and very comfortable, but her engines are old-