"And, therefore," added the Marquis, "we'll see what can be done
about it."
"And b'gad, here's wishing you luck!" said the Captain.
At this moment Peterby entered the yard, deep in converse with a slim,
gentleman-like person, whose noble cravat immediately attracted the
attention of the Marquis.
"By the way," pursued the Captain, "we three are dining together at
my club; may I have a cover laid for you, Mr. Beverley?"
"Sir," answered Barnabas, "I thank you, but, owing to--circumstances"
--here he cast a downward glance at his neckerchief--"I am unable to
accept. But, perhaps, you will, all three of you, favor me to dinner
at my house--say, in three days' time?"
The invitation was no sooner given than accepted.
"But," said the Viscount, "I didn't know that you had a place here
in town, Bev. Where is it?"
"Why, indeed, now you come to mention it, I haven't the least idea;
but, perhaps, my man can tell me."
"Eh--what?" exclaimed the Captain. "Oh, b'gad, he's smoking us!"
"Peterby!"
"Sir?" and having saluted the company, Peterby stood at respectful
attention.
"I shall be giving a small dinner in three days' time."
"Certainly, sir."
"At my house, Peterby,--consequently I desire to know its location.
Where do I live now, Peterby?"
"Number five, St. James's Square, sir."
"Thank you, Peterby."
"An invaluable fellow, that of yours," laughed the Marquis, as
Peterby bowed and turned away.
"Indeed, I begin to think he is, my Lord," answered Barnabas,
"and I shall expect you all, at six o'clock, on Friday next." So,
having shaken hands again, Captain Slingsby took the arm of the
Marquis, and limped off.
Now, when they were alone, the Viscount gazed at Barnabas, chin in
hand, and with twinkling eyes.
"My dear Bev," said he, "you can hang me if I know what to make of
you. Egad, you're the most incomprehensible fellow alive; you are,
upon my soul! If I may ask, what the deuce did it all mean--about
this house of yours?"
"Simply that until this moment I wasn't sure if I had one yet."
"But--your fellow--"
"Yes. I sent him out this morning to buy me one."
"To buy you--a house?"
"Yes; also horses and carriages, and many other things, chief among
them--a tailor."
The Viscount gasped.
"But--my dear fellow--to leave all that to your--servant! Oh, Gad!"
"But, as the Marquis remarked, Peterby is an inestimable fellow."
The Viscount eyed Barnabas with brows wrinkled in perplexity; then
all at once his expression changed.
"By the way," said he, "talking of Carnaby, he's got the most
beautiful eye you ever saw!"
"Oh?" said Barnabas, beginning to tuck in the ends of his neckerchief.
"And a devil of a split lip!"
"Oh?" said Barnabas again.