“Remember the fable of the lion and the mouse.”

“But you can never be the mouse in this, you mite of a boy! Thank you all the same, Johnny: you mean it well.”

“Can I see Mr. Brandon?” I asked at the hotel, of a strange waiter.

“Mr. Brandon, sir? He is not staying here.”

“Not staying here!”

“No, sir, he left some days ago.”

“But I thought he was coming back again.”

“So I believe he is, sir. But he has not come yet.”

“Do you know where he is?”

“At Brighton, sir.”