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 place. By the time he had finished the waiter had brought the two whiskies-and-sodas Drewitt had ordered.

"By the way," said Beresford, as he replaced his glass on the table at his side, "why didn't you turn up at lunch?"

"There are occasions, Richard," drawled Drewitt, "when you are as obvious as Streatham Common, or a Labour M.P."

"I see," nodded Beresford, "but I hope you realise that you left Lola to pay for the lunch."

"As bad as that?"

"I hadn't a sou on me."

"It's always a mistake to try and help young lovers," said Drewitt with resignation.

"I had to borrow sixpence from Payne to get here," said Beresford. "I gave him an I.O.U. for it."

"My dear Richard." Drewitt leaned forward with interest. "I wish you would tell me how you got here for sixpence. I've never been successful in getting anywhere for sixpence, although I frequently try. Once I tried to get from Piccadilly to Victoria by omnibus, and got to Hampstead for fivepence; but as it cost me four shillings for a taxi to get back, I couldn't really consider that a fair test."

At that moment a page approached, telling Drewitt that he was wanted on the telephone.

"Page," he said, looking at the boy reproachfully, "haven't I repeatedly told you that I'm never here?"

"Yes, my lord," piped the boy, looking up into