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“Won’t the lady be a trifle overwhelmed?” asked Paul.

“I didn’t mean all at the same time, or on the same day,” explained Barnabas. “I intended that we should go in detachments. I thought Dan and I could begin—take the initial step, so to speak.”

“And who next?” asked Paul, smiling.

“Jasper and Alan, as Jasper’s so keen about it,” said Barnabas. “Then you and Michael.”

Michael looked at the tip of his cigarette through half-closed eyes.

“You can leave me out of the little programme,” he said. “I don’t pay calls.”

“And I’m calling on my great aunt’s stepmother on Sunday,” said Dan. “Sorry, Barnabas, but it’s a prior engagement.”

“You can send a wire to that purely fictitious person—if you know her address—and put her off,” replied Barnabas.

“I’ll be damned——” began Dan.

Jasper got up from his chair. “I will leave you five to make your own arrangements,” he said. “I shall call upon Miss Mason at five o’clock on Monday afternoon. If Alan comes with me I shall be pleased. I’ve got an engagement now. Good-bye.”