He went away, leaving us to a blank silence, till Wanhope managed tosay: "That inventive habit of mind is somewhat curious. It would beinteresting to know just how far it imposes on the inventor himself--howmuch he believes of his own fiction."

"I don't see," Rulledge exclaimed, gloomily, "why they're so long with mydinner." Then he burst out: "I believe every word Halson exclaimed! Ifthere's any fake in the thing, it's the fake that Minver owned to."

VII

THE CHICK 0F THE EASTER EGG