Busby played badly for the rest of the game, and withdrew sulkily into a corner. George sat by his side, and endeavoured to cheer him up. 

 "What's wrong, old chap?" he asked. "You don't mean to say Mrs. B. will be disappointed because you lost?" 

 Busby gave him a pitying glance, and uttered these amazing words— 

 "She won't know anything about it." 

 George looked at him incredulously. "You don't mean to say you'll tell her you won?" 

 "Shan't tell her anything," said Busby. "She thinks I'm in the Free Library." 

 He was rewarded with a severe look from George, who said, in a serious tone— 

 "It isn't right, old chap; no man ought to deceive his wife. Tell the truth and shame the devil. That's my motto." 

 "Keep your motto," said Busby, rudely. "I don't want it. I bet you'd do the same if you were married." 

 "I wouldn't," said George, decidedly. "No, not for—not for £500 I wouldn't." 

 Busby was just raising a glass to his lips, but his hand began to shake so that he had to put it down. He mopped his brow, pulled out his watch, and thought it was about time he was getting home. 

 "Let's see, you're going the station way, I suppose?" he said when they got outside. 

 "I'm going your way," said George. "I'm coming home to supper, old man, to hear some of your stories." 

 "What?" roared Busby. 

 "Those you find in the books at the Free Library," said George. "I shall enjoy them, I'll be bound." 

 "Look here," said Busby, assuming a threatening attitude, "that's enough of it." 

 "No, it isn't, old chap," said George. "I promised the missis I'd come back with you from the Free Library, so, of course, I must. Besides," he added gravely, "I shall have to tell her you were not there." 

 Busby laughed hilariously. "You are a funny devil!" he said. "Well, good night." 

 He turned away, and George followed him closely. They went on in this way for twenty yards, when Busby turned, and said in 

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