'Ornament!'
Mr. FitzHoward emitted a sigh which might have been intended to mark the interjection. Mr. Merrett hailed a passing cab.
'Drive us to Twickenham House, St. James's Square. Now, Fitz, in you jump.'
That gentleman appeared to hesitate:
'Look here. I don't know what your game is, you're beyond me altogether, but don't you go kicking me out when we get there.'
'Kicking you? Out of what? The cab?'
'No, my Lord Marquis; out of your palatial abode. Because, if you do, this time there'll be trouble.'
'Fitz, would you do me the favour to step into that cab, and don't talk as if you had been let out of a lunatic asylum before your time?'
Thus adjured, Mr. FitzHoward did as he was requested. As the cab bowled along he continued to regard his companion with glances which were brimful of curiosity. But nothing was said. The cab reached Twickenham House. When Mr. Merrett got out he looked the building up and down.
'This the place?'