CHAPTER XIV.
As soon as I was alone, I took from my pocket one of the handbills which my excitable fellow-traveler had presented to me, so as to have it ready for Mrs.Baggs the moment we stood face to face.

Armed with this ominous letter of introduction, I kicked a chair down against the folding-doors, by way of giving a preliminary knock to arouse the housekeeper's attention.

The plan was immediately successful.

Mrs.Baggs opened the doors of communication violently.

A slight smell of spirits entered the room, and was followed close by the housekeeper herself, with an indignant face and a disordered head-dress.
"What do you mean, sir?
How dare you--" she began; then stopped aghast, looking at me in speechless astonishment.
"I have been obliged to make a slight alteration in my personal appearance, ma'am," I said.