And Captain Fraser--" and with that he hesitated and smiled.
Basil smiled also.

He intervened.
"The fact is that Captain Fraser, who is one of my best friends, wanted us both out of the way very much.

He is sailing tonight for East Africa, and the lady with whom we were all to have dined is--er--what is I believe described as 'the romance of his life'.

He wanted that two hours with her, and employed these two reverend gentlemen to detain us at our houses so as to let him have the field to himself." "And of course," said the late Mr Shorter apologetically to me, "as I had to keep a gentleman at home from keeping an appointment with a lady, I had to come with something rather hot and strong--rather urgent.

It wouldn't have done to be tame." "Oh," I said, "I acquit you of tameness." "Thank you, sir," said the man respectfully, "always very grateful for any recommendation, sir." The other man idly pushed back his artificial bald head, revealing close red hair, and spoke dreamily, perhaps under the influence of Basil's admirable Burgundy.
"It's wonderful how common it's getting, gentlemen.