He  reflected  for  a  moment,  then  he  said —

"  I  don't  believe  it  will  be  of  any  use,  but  if  you  like  to  call
to-morrow  at  the  office  of  the  Planet  at  half-past  twelve,  I  may
show  you  to  the  editor."

"  Thanks,  that's  all  I  want.  Your  name,  sir,  is  Mr.  Dawson,
I  believe."

"  That's  my  name,  and  I  wish  you  a  good  evening."

Johns  rose.  He  made  a  bow  to  the  fair-haired  lady,  includ-
ing Dawson  in  it,  and  the  couple  who  seemed  to  be  the  hosts.
Then,  without  more  words,  he  left.
He  was  pleased  with  himself,  and  he  walked  towards  Hyde
Park  Corner  with  a  light  step,  for  he  felt  that  in  a  few  moments,
by  a  lucky  chance,  the  outlook  had  changed  greatly  for  the
better.  Dawson,  he  deemed,  was  sent  him  from  the  skies.
He  didn't  regret  his  expensive  dinner  now  that  he  had  got  so
suddenly  upon  the  right  tack.  It  seemed,  somehow,  to  have
led  to  it.
When  he  reached  the  Corner,  as  the  empty  park  did  not
look  inviting,  he  turned  and  retraced  his  steps,  wondering
how  he  was  to  pass  the  evening.
