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 that his hands were tied. Forthwith Hilary Vance sprang into the breach. He would free the Esmeralda from the persecution at once—that very afternoon. He demanded to be led to the Lion of Montevideo without a moment's delay.

"There is a season for everything; and the evening is the time for Montevideans," said the Honorable John Ruffin calmly. "I don't know how it strikes you, but I always associate the Lion of Montevideo with the fountains in Trafalgar Square—it must be the lions at the foot of Nelson's column. In my dreams I see him in the basin of the left-hand fountain—I do not know why the left-hand fountain—sprawling."

"Splendid!" said Hilary Vance in a tone of rich enthusiasm.

"As a matter of fact, I have often wondered what those fountains were for," said the Honorable John Ruffin thoughtfully. "Now I know."

"You do have good ideas. You're rather like me," said Hilary Vance.

The Honorable John Ruffin looked at him earnestly. "Yes; but we are nothing to Mrs. Bride."