"First, who were the people who left as I came in?"
"Now what the deuce do you want to know that for?" said Japix, looking puzzled.
"Because I think one lady is Miss Judith Varlins, and the other Miss Florry Marson."
"Correct so far; but how the—"
"And the gentleman's name, Japix? The lean, lank man that looks like the Ancient Mariner in his shore clothes."
"Jackson Spolger, a patent medicine millionaire. Inherited it from Papa Spolger. Large fortune, disagreeable man, engaged to marry Miss Marson."
"Biography in a nutshell," said Fanks, calmly; "but surely not engaged."
"Why not? Are you in love with her yourself?"
"No; but I thought Sebastian Melstane—"
Dr. Japix uttered an ejaculation not complimentary to Mr. Melstane, and turned fiercely on Fanks.