Another leg was soon disclosed, and then what seemed to be a third.  This resolved itself, however, into a knotted club resting upon a pedestal.

‘It is a Hercules,’ cried Gideon; ’I might have guessed that from his calf.  I’m supposed to be rather partial to statuary, but when it comes to Hercules, the police should interfere.  I should say,’ he added, glancing with disaffection at the swollen leg, ’that this was about the biggest and the worst in Europe.  What in heaven’s name can have induced him to come here?’

‘I suppose nobody else would have a gift of him,’ said Julia.  ’And for that matter, I think we could have done without the monster very well.’

‘O, don’t say that,’ returned Gideon.  ’This has been one of the most amusing experiences of my life.’

‘I don’t think you’ll forget it very soon,’ said Julia.  ’Your hand will remind you.’

‘Well, I suppose I must be going,’ said Gideon reluctantly.  ‘No,’ pleaded Julia.  ‘Why should you?  Stay and have tea with me.’

‘If I thought you really wished me to stay,’ said Gideon, looking at his hat, ‘of course I should only be too delighted.’

‘What a silly person you must take me for!’ returned the girl.  ’Why, of course I do; and, besides, I want some cakes for tea, and I’ve nobody to send.  Here is the latchkey.’

Gideon put on his hat with alacrity, and casting one look at Miss Hazeltine, and another at the legs of Hercules, threw open the door and departed on his errand.

He returned with a large bag of the choicest and most tempting of cakes and tartlets, and found Julia in the act of spreading a small tea-table in the lobby.

‘The rooms are all in such a state,’ she cried, ’that I thought we should be more cosy and comfortable in our own lobby, and under our own vine and statuary.’

‘Ever so much better,’ cried Gideon delightedly.

‘O what adorable cream tarts!’ said Julia, opening the bag, ’and the dearest little cherry tartlets, with all the cherries spilled out into the cream!’

‘Yes,’ said Gideon, concealing his dismay, ’I knew they would mix beautifully; the woman behind the counter told me so.’

‘Now,’ said Julia, as they began their little festival, ’I am going to show you Morris’s letter; read it aloud, please; perhaps there’s something I have missed.’

Gideon took the letter, and spreading it out on his knee, read as follows: 

Dear Julia, I write you from Browndean, where we are stopping over for a few days.  Uncle was much shaken in that dreadful accident, of which, I dare say, you have seen the account.  Tomorrow I leave him here with John, and come up alone; but before that, you will have received a barrel containing specimens for A friend.  Do not open it on any account, but leave it in the lobby till I come.

Yours in haste,

M. Finsbury.