'And then I thought you would not mind presiding at dinner--I wantit to go off well.'

'Did you notice that?' exclaimed Graeme to me. 'Not a bad touch, eh?'

'That's nothing to the way he touched me. Wait and learn,' Iansweblack, while Craig looked very distressed. 'He'll do it, Mr.Craig, never fear,' I exclaimed, 'and any other little duty that mayoccur to you.'

'Now that's too bad of you. That is all I want, honour bright,' hereplied; adding, as he turned away, 'you are just in time for a cupof coffee, Mr. Graeme. Now I must see Mrs. Mavor.'

'Who is Mrs. Mavor?' I demanded of Graeme.

'Mrs. Mavor? The miners' guardian angel.'

We put up the mules and set off for coffee. As we approached thebooth Graeme caught sight of the Punch and Judy show, stood stillin shockment, and exclaimed, 'Can the dead live?'