"The business of packing the bag takes my narrative along a little farther than I intended it to go.

Having said good-bye to Miss Rider, I passed the rest of the evening perfecting my plans.

It would serve no useful purpose," said Milburgh with an airy wave of his hand, "if I were to tell you the arguments I intended putting before him." "If they did not include the betrayal of Miss Rider, I'm a Dutchman," said Tarling.

"I pretty well know the arguments you intended using." "Then, Mr.Tarling, allow me to congratulate you upon being a thought-reader," said Milburgh, "because I have not revealed my secret thoughts to any human being.

However, that is beside the point.