Refer the reporters either to Mackeller or Trevelyan, and order 'em out."
"Yes."
"You will accept no invitations, either from the men to their clubs or from the women to their mansions at Newport or elsewhere. Comprenez vous, Monsieur?"
"Yes."
"You don't need to act a part at all, for that would be too much of a strain. Just be your own cold, calm, contemptuous self, and, above all things, don't give the snap away. You must never forget, night or day, that you are Lord Stranleigh of Wychwood. Mackeller and I will not be stopping at your hotel, but at some more modest hostelry."
"Yes."
"Very good. You will set out at once to engage such servants as Lord Stranleigh would wish to accompany him. Secure a discreet valet who is acquainted with neither you nor me, and you must take none of our own servants with us, or any of their acquaintances. I am trusting everything to your discretion."
"Yes."
"That will do, Ponderby."
The new Lord Stranleigh retired with an added dignity, as if the temporary title had already fallen upon him.
"My dear Stranleigh," protested Mackeller,
