"I've been having police protection," laughed Burns.
"Still, you didn't oughter have gone two days without doing anythink," said Alf Pond.
"Oh! I had a bit of sparring with Mr. Sage," said Burns, "in spite of the glasses. If you want to see some pretty foot-work, Alf, you get him to put the gloves on."
"I knew it," cried Alf Pond, with conviction; then, turning to the others, "Didn't I say he oughter been in the ring?"
And Malcolm Sage found relief from the admiring eyes of his guests in gazing down at the well-bitten mouthpiece of his briar.
"But why did you let me think that Jefferson and his crowd were in it?" enquired Burns, with corrugated brow.
"Well," said Malcolm Sage slowly, "as I had put twenty-five pounds on you to steady Pond's nerves, I didn't want to lose it."
And Alf Pond winked gleefully across at Mr. Doulton.
CHAPTER XVII LADY DENE CALLS ON MALCOLM SAGE
"Lady Dene wishes to see you, Miss."