A THOUSAND POUNDS

Brooks had ridden a bicycle from Medchester, and his trousers and boots were splashed with mud.  His presence at Enton was due to an impulse, the inspiration of which he had already begun seriously to doubt.  Arranmore’s kindly reception of him was more than ordinarily welcome.

“I am very glad to see you, Mr. Brooks,” he said, holding out his hand.  “How comes it that you are able to take even so short a holiday as this?  I pictured you surrounded by canvassers and bill-posters and journalists, all clamouring for your ear.”

Brooks laughed, completely at his ease now, thanks to the unspoken cordiality of the other man.  He took the easy-chair which the servant had noiselessly wheeled up to him.

“I am afraid that you exaggerate my importance,—­Lord Arranmore,” he said.  “I was very busy early this morning, and I shall be again after four.  But I am allowed a little respite now and then.”

“You spend it very sensibly out of doors,” Arranmore remarked.  “How did you get here?”

“I cycled,” Brooks answered.  “It was very pleasant, but muddy.”

“What will you have?” Lord Arranmore asked.  “Some wine and biscuits, or something of that sort?”

His hand was upon the bell, but Brooks stopped him.

“Nothing at all, thank you, just now.”

“Luncheon will be served in half-an-hour,” the Marquis said.  “You will prefer to wait until then?”

“I am much obliged to you,” Brooks answered, “but I must be getting back to Medchester as soon as possible.  Besides,” he added, with a smile, “I am afraid when I have spoken of the object of my visit you may feel inclined to kick me out.”

“I hope not,” Arranmore replied, lightly.  “I was hoping that your visit had no object at all, and that you had been good enough just to look me up.

“I should not have intruded without a purpose,” Brooks said, quietly, “but you will be almost justified in treating my visit as an impertinence when I have disclosed my errand.  Lord Arranmore, I am the secretary for the fund which is being raised in Medchester for the relief of the Unemployed.”

Arranmore nodded.

“Oh, yes,” he said.  “I had a visit a few days ago from a worthy Medchester gentleman connected with it.”

“It is concerning that visit, Lord Arranmore, that I have come to see you,” Brooks continued, quietly.  “I only heard of it yesterday afternoon, but this morning it seems to me that every one whom I have met has alluded to it.”

The Marquis was lounging against the broad mantelpiece.  Some part of the cordiality of his manner had vanished.

“Well?”

“Lord Arranmore, I wondered whether it was not possible that some mistake had been made,” Brooks said.  “I wondered whether Mr. Wensome had altogether understood you properly—­”

“I did my best to be explicit,” the Marquis murmured.