A SCHERZO 171 



that day, alone bad enough in all conscience, 

 without being rudely awakened out of their beauty 

 sleep. It was a relief when the door was shut 

 and bolted again in my face, cutting short the rest 

 of my humble apologies. 



Upon leaving the fatal spot, with a preoccupied 

 air, I happened to glance down the side-passage, 

 and became aware of the Duke doubled up, holding 

 his sides, in imminent danger of an apoplectic 

 seizure ; and with quiet determination I got in 

 behind His Grace, and hastened him uncere- 

 moniously to bed. 



It subsequently transpired that Mr. Gow had 

 asked Craigie and Johnny to change their room, 

 in order to accommodate the new arrivals ; to which 

 proposition they agreed ; and they also agreed, 

 between themselves, that there was no need to 

 mention the fact to us, as a very exhilarating 

 little contretemps might be afforded by their want 

 of candour. They played their cards very credit- 

 ably; but, unfortunately, the individual for whose 

 benefit the plot was laid did not come off the 

 worst — unless perhaps in the very last act, when 

 retribution usually overtakes the villain of every 

 well-ordered play. 



