CHAPTER X.
A TEMPTING OFFER The small boy brought in the card and laid it on Brooks' desk with a flourish.
"He's outside, sir--in Mr.Barton's room.

Shall I show him in ?" Brooks for a moment hesitated.

He glanced at a letter which lay open upon the desk before him, and which he had read and re-read many times.
The boy repeated his inquiry.
"Yes, of course," he answered.

"Show him in at once." Lord Arranmore, more than usually immaculate, strolled in, hat in hand, and carefully selecting the most comfortable chair, seated himself on the other side of the open table at which Brooks was working.
"How are you, Brooks ?" he inquired, tersely.

"Busy, of course.