Come to the club at eight, 'Cercle des Voyageurs,' corner of Rue Neuve de St.
Michel.

I expect you belong, Haystoun; and anyway I'll be there." He bowed them out with his staccato apologies, and the two returned to their hotel to dress.

Two hours later they found Gribton warming his hands in the smoking-room of the Cercle, a fussy and garrulous gentleman, eager for his dinner.

He pointed out such people as he knew, and was consumed with curiosity about the others.

Lewis wandered about the room before he sat down, shaking hands with several and nodding to many.
"You seem to know the whole earth," said Gribton.
"I suppose that a world of acquaintance is the only reward of slackness," Lewis said, laughing.