“Hallo there!” he called out.

Ido started back as if he had been set upon by an enemy. He was unused to such emphatic greetings. But when he saw who his assailant was he slipped a smile upon his face, smirked and bowed, and hoped that the august American’s days were filled with joy.

“They’ll do,” Jack answered. “And how are things with you? Business good? Making many matches?”

Ido had introduced four persons to incomparable happiness—which was to say, he had brought about two marriages. Had his lordship come into like happiness?

No, his lordship had not.

“You making gradest mistage you’ whole lifetime,” Ido assured him. “You nod yit seen Japanese woman that please you for wife? No? I know nodder girl you’ excellency nod seen yit. Mos’ beautiful in Japan. You like see her?”

“No, I’ve seen enough. By-the-way, Ido, what’s become of the girl you brought around to my place? Married yet?” Jack put on a look of indifferent interest.

“No, excellency.”

For one disinterested, Jack found much relief in this answer.

“But I thing she going to be,” Ido went on, calmly. “Two, three—no, two odder gents—What you say?—consider—yes, consider her.”