he want?" she went on, turning to me as Tibbie grumblingly departed. "A reporter?"
"Newspaper chap of some sort, evidently," I said. "And wanting news! But how does he come to know where to apply for news? And what news?"
"We're only getting more and more fogbound," she remarked. "Wait till we hear what he's got to say; perhaps he has some news for us. He's here!"
A sharp-eyed, alert, knowing-looking young person entered the room and made his bow. He was smartly dressed, evidently quite at his ease, and full of vitality. And his first proceeding was remarkable. As he straightened himself after doing obeisance to Madrasia his eyes fell on the copper box, and without preface he pointed a long, slender forefinger at it.
"That's the identical article!" he exclaimed. "Sure!"
Then he looked round, saw me, grinned as if reassured by the sight of a fellow man, and turned again to Madrasia.
"Mr. Parslewe's not at home, I understand, Miss," he said, affably. "But you're Miss
