Accompanied by his negro servant, Jeekie, for in a house like this it was necessary to have someone to wait upon him, he drove over from Yarleys, a distance of ten miles, arriving about eight o'clock.
"Mr.Haswell as gone up to dress, Major, and so have the other gentlemen," said the head butler, Mr.Smith, "but Miss Champers told me to give you this note and to say that dinner is at half-past eight." Alan took the note and asked to be shown to his room.

Once there, although he had only five and twenty minutes, he opened it eagerly, while Jeekie unpacked his bag.
"Dear Alan," it ran: "Don't be late for dinner, or I may not be able to keep a place next to me.

Of course Sir Robert takes me in.

They are a worse lot than usual this time, odious--odious!--and I can't stand one on the left hand as well as on the right.

Yours, "B.
"P.S.