chiefly to the demoralizing effect of wealth; Laura thinks that you were born with naturally low tastes." 

 "They're both right," observed Tony placidly. "I am what Guy calls 'a menace to my order.'  That's a jolly way for one's secretary to talk to one, isn't it?" 

 "It's the only way dear Guy can talk, and after all I daresay he is telling the truth." 

 "I am sure he is," said Tony.  "Guy is quite incapable of telling anything else."  He paused. "Was Henry referring to any recent atrocity?" 

 "I think your choice of friends is what distresses him chiefly. He said that your more intimate acquaintances appear to consist of prize-fighters and chauffeurs." 

 Tony laughed good-humouredly.  "I do a bit of motor racing, you know. I suppose that's what he meant by chauffeurs. As for prize-fighters—well, somebody must have been telling him about Bugg." 

 "About what?" inquired Lady Jocelyn mildly. 

 "Bugg," repeated Tony.  "'Tiger' Bugg. He's a youthful protégé of mine—a boxer. In about three years, when he's grown a bit, he'll be champion of England." 

 Lady Jocelyn's good-humoured face wrinkled up into a whimsical smile. 

 "Dear Tony," she said.  "Your conversation is always so stimulating. Tell me some more about Mr. Tiger Bugg. What a name! It sounds like some kind of American butterfly." 

 "Oh, he spells it with two g's," said Tony.  "It's a very good name in the East End of London. There have been Buggs in Whitechapel for generations." 

 "So I have always understood," replied Lady Jocelyn.  "How did you come across this particular branch of the family?" 

 "It was at a boxing club off the Stepney High Street. It's a blackguard sort of place run by a Jew named Isaacs. He gets in the East End street boys, and they fight each other for nothing in the hope that some boxing promoter will see them and give them a chance. Well, one night when I was there they put up this boy Bugg against a fellow who was big enough to eat him—a chap who knew something about the game, too. Bugg was hammered nearly silly in the first round, but he came up for the second and popped in a left hook bang on the point that put the big chap to sleep for almost ten minutes. It was one of the prettiest things 

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