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250 250 THE PRINCIPAL BOY.

That's why I was anxious to get a London appearance — if only in East-end pantomime. The money's safe, and your notices are more valuable. I only want a show to take the town. I do hope George won't disappoint me. I thought you were he."

" Who is George ? " he said slowly, as if in pain.

The shrill clamour of the bell answered him.

"There he is!" said the Prince joyfully. "George is only Georgie Spanner, stage-manager of the Oriental. I have been besieging him for two days. Bella Bright, who had to play Prince Prettypet, has gone and eloped with the property-man, and as soon as I heard of it, I got a letter of introduction to Georgie Spanner, and he said I was too little, and I said that was nonsense — that I had played in bur- lesque at Eastbourne — Come in !"

"Are you at home, miss?" said the maid, putting her head inside the door.

" Certainly, Fanny. That's Mr. Spanner I told you of — " The girl's head looked puzzled as it removed itself. " And so he said if I would put my things on, he would try and run down for an hour this evening, and see if I looked the part."

"And couldn't all that be done at the theatre?"

" Of course it could. But it's ten times more convenient for me here. And it's very considerate of Georgie to come all this way — he's a very busy man, I can tell you."

The street-door slammed loudly.

A sudden paroxysm shook Frank's frame. " Lucy, send this man away — for God's sake." In his excitement he came nearer, he laid his hand pleadingly upon the glittering shoulder. The Prince trembled a little under his touch, and stood as in silent hesitancy. The stairs creaked under heavy footsteps.