Ladies should not be kept waiting, Lord Arthur,' said Mr. Podgers, with his sickly smile. 'The fair sex is apt to be impatient.'
Lord Arthur's finely-chiselled lips curled in petulant disdain. The poor Duchess seemed to him of very little importance at that moment. He walked across the room to where Mr. Podgers was standing, and held his hand out.
'Tell me what you saw there,' he said. 'Tell me the truth. I must know it. I am not a child.'
Mr Podgers's eyes blinked behind his gold-rimmed spectacles, and he moved uneasily from one foot to the other, while his fingers played nervously with a flash watch-chain.
'What makes you think that I saw anything in your hand, Lord Arthur, more than I told you?'
'I know you did, and I insist on your telling me what it was. I will pay you. I will give you a cheque for a hundred pounds.'
The green eyes flashed for a moment, and then became dull again.
'Guineas?' said Mr. Podgers at last, in a low voice.
'Certainly. I will send you a cheque to-morrow. What is your club?'
'I have no club. That is to say, not just at present. My address is -- but allow me to give you my card;' and producing a bit of gilt-edged pasteboard from his waistcoat pocket, Mr. Podgers handed it, with a low bow, to Lord Arthur, who read on it,
MR. SEPTIMUS R. PODGERS Professional Cheiromantist 103a West Moon Street
'My hours are from ten to four,' murmured Mr. Podgers mechanically, 'and I make a reduction for families.'
'Be quick,' cried Lord Arthur, looking very pale, and holding his hand out.
