speculation of yours," he said. "Are you sure it's all right, and that you will not lose your money?"
"It is as certain as any business can be. It is a matter I thoroughly understand, but I will tell you all about it. If you will pardon me a moment I will bring you the papers, as I should like to have your advice, and it is early yet. You don't want to go to bed, I suppose?"
"Not for hours."
Mensmore rose, but before he reached the door a gentle tap heralded the appearance of the hall-porter.
"There is a letter for the gentleman. Monsieur is not in his room. He is reported to be here, so I bring it."
Mensmore took the note, read it with a smile and a growing flush, and handed it to the barrister, saying: "Under the circumstances I think you ought to see this. Isn't she a brick?"
The tiny missive ran:
"_Dearest One_,--You must forgive me, but we are both so miserable about that wretched money that I told mother everything. She likes you, and though she gave me a blowing up, she has promised to give me £500 tomorrow. We can never thank her sufficiently. Do come around and see me for a minute. I will be in the verandah until eleven.
    "Ever yours,
        "PHYLLIS."
Claude returned the note.
"Luck! you're the luckiest fellow in the South of France!" he said. "Why, here's the mother plotting with the daughter on your behalf. Sir William hasn't the ghost of a chance. Off you go to that blessed verandah."
When Mensmore had quitted the hotel Bruce descended to the bureau to take up the threads of his neglected quest. The letter to Sydney H. Corbett was still unclaimed, and he thought he was justified in examining it. On the reverse of the envelope was the embossed stamp of an electric-lighting company, so the contents were nothing more important than a bill.
An hour later Mensmore joined him in the billiard-room, radiant and excited.
"Great news," he said. "I squared everything with Lady Browne. Told her I was only chaffing Phil about the five hundred, because she spoiled my aim by shrieking out. Sir William has chartered a steam yacht to go for a three weeks' cruise along the Gulf of Genoa and the Italian coast. They have put him up to ask me in the morning to join the party. Great Scott! what a night I'm having!"
They parted soon afterwards, and next morning Bruce was informed that his friend had gone out early, leaving word that he had been summoned to breakfast at the Grand Hotel, where Sir William Browne was staying.
During the afternoon Mensmore came to him like a whirlwind. "We're off today," he said. "By the way, where shall I find you in London?"
The barrister gave him his address, and Mensmore, handing him a card, said, "My permanent address is given here, the Orleans Club, St. James's. But I will look you up first. I shall be in town 

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