"Of course. You must be crazy, going on like that!" Gray released his hold and stared blankly at the carpet. Then he gave vent to his feelings in an outburst of invectives, which, being unintelligible to his wife, put that lady into a high state of indignation. What might have been a scene was dispelled by the rattle of a key in the front lock. Mrs. Gray swept out of the room, and a minute later her husband and George Early had the sitting-room to themselves. "Good evening," said George, sweetly. "Good evening," said Gray. There was silence for a while, during which time Gray rammed a pipe with Old Judge. George selected a comfortable armchair, and lit a cigarette. "So you've been burying your uncle," said Gray, with a sneer. "I hope you buried him deep." "Pretty deep, thanks," said George. Gray planted his back to the fireplace, and looked sideways at his enemy. "I hope it's a big grave," he said, "in case there's another death in the family." "There won't be another death," said George; "we're pretty hardy." "You're a clever devil," said Gray, in a tone that belied his words. "If all the family are as clever as you, they'll be in Parliament soon—or jail. I suppose you think you've got the best of me; but you'll find that two can play at this game." "That's what I thought," said George. "It was because I couldn't get along without you that I came down here." Gray accepted the situation for the time being with sullen resignation, and Mrs. Gray, entering the room timidly and finding the new lodger in good spirits, brightened up and forgot her husband's outburst. In half an hour George knew all the local news and scandal, and was on the best terms with Mrs. Gray, if not with her husband. "Do you know," said Mrs. Gray, "at first I had a horrid thought that you and Jim were not friends. Wasn't it silly of me?" "Absurd," said George. "We're like brothers." "Ah," said Mrs. Gray, "but there's one thing you don't know. Jim only heard it for certain to-day." "That's nothing," said
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