MR MEAD 125 



of giving in, but he was winded. Besides all the 

 worries we know of, a number of small things had 

 declared against him, culminating in his loss at 

 cards. He felt that he was in a vein of bad luck, 

 imder a cloud, and that until the cloud lifted and 

 the luck changed it was hopeless for him to make 

 plans or do anything. 



He took leave of Mead and returned to the 

 Shelbourne on foot. The rain had ceased, and as 

 he drew near the hotel the sun broke through the 

 clouds. 



As he entered the hotel he ran almost into the 

 arms of a young man dressed in a fawn-coloured 

 overcoat, who, with his hat on the back of his 

 head, was standing in the hall, a cigarette between 

 his hps and a match-box in his hand. 



" I beg your pardon," said Mr French; then, 

 starting back, " Why, sure to goodness, if it isn't 

 Mr Dash wood!" 



