elaborate apologies, phrased and uttered with more refinement than
his appearance would have led one to expect. No; he would on no
account be seated. Under the circumstances he could not dream of
staying more than two, or at most three, minutes. He felt really
ashamed of himself for such a flagrant breach of social custom; but
if his friend would listen patiently for one minute--nay, for less.

"I know what you're driving at," broke in Gammon good-humouredly, as
he sat in bed with his knees up. "You've nowhere to sleep--ain't
that it?"

"No, no; I assure you no!" exclaimed the other, with unfailing
politeness. "I have excellent lodgings in the parish of St.
Martin's-in-the-Fields; besides, you don't imagine I should disturb
you after midnight for such a trivial cause! You have heard of the
death of Lord Bolsover?"

"Never knew he was living," cried Gammon.

"Nonsense, you are an incorrigible joker. The poor fellow died
nearly a week ago. Of course I must attend his funeral to-morrow
down at Hitchin; I really couldn't neglect to attend his funeral.
And here comes my difficulty. At present I'm driving a' Saponaria'
van, and I shall have to provide a substitute, you see. I thought I
had found one, a very decent fellow called Grosvenor, who declares,
by the by, that he can trace his connexion with the aristocratic
house--interesting, isn't it? But Grosvenor has got into trouble
to-day--something about passing a bad half-crown--a mere mistake,
I'm quite sure. Now I've been trying to find someone else--not an
easy thing; and as I _must_ have a substitute by nine to-morrow, I