be so frightened. I think the Italian must have ill-used her. But she is clever for all that," continued Needham laughing. "She is learning to play the piano."
Lifting the little monkey, crossed the room with long strides to the corner, where a small cottage piano stood, and seated himself on the stool. "Now play, Fifi." he said.
The intelligent creature leant forward an commenced striking sharply here and there among the notes, producing a curious kind of tinkling resemble of certain bars from "Old Black Joe". Meldrum was conscious of a strange prickling sensation—he did not quite know why.
After a few moments Needham rose again and, putting the monkey in a box in the corner of the room, returned again to his chair.
iii
it was late before the friends took their departure, Needham holding their interest with stories of his adventures in different parts of the world. Indeed, it was only when Meldrum became aware, by the restless movements of his friend, that Norton was not enjoying himself that he recollected the lateness of the hour and suggested it was time they took their leave.
"You fellows mustn't be too critical of my quarters, you know," said Needham, laughing, as they descended the stair together. "I confess I am not a tidy person. I have lead the rough bachelor life too long. But you fellows should understand something about that."
He accompanied them to the sidewalk, and after some desultory remarks about the weather, the visitors set off toward Norton's home. The moon was shining brightly and after the heavy rain and wind the air smelt fresh and moist. Meldrum inhaled it with evident pleasure.
"Now that I have seen your friend at close quarters," he said. "I must confess that I do not feel so strongly inclined in his favor. The state of that room was disgraceful even for a bachelor, and there is no excuse for anyone at all shutting out the fresh air. But, although his tastes seem to run unpleasantly to monkeys, I hardly think he deserves the appellation you bestowed on him."
"Perhaps not," said Norton, who seemed in better spirits, now that he was in the free fresh air again. "As far as the atmosphere of his house is concerned, he once explained that to me by saying that since he had been in Africa he had to keep the temperature up. I think he said he had rheumatism. But I don't like him."
There was silence for several minutes, and then he burst out:
"And of course he pays attention to Elsie."
"Ah!" said Meldrum significantly. "Perhaps a lover's jealousy has something to do with the case."
"We met him one day on Church Street," said Norton. "and of course I had to introduce him. He made himself very agreeable, and yet it seemed to my fancy that he was not so much taken up with the girl as anxious to do me an ill turn. Other fellows pay attention to her, too, of course, but that's because they admire her. It was not so in his case, I am convinced. After we left him Elsie said: "What a fine-looking man!" And then she added: "No he isn't—he's a horror!"
"Well," said Meldrum heartily, "apparently you do not need to fear her falling in love with him, however it may be in his case. I really am afraid it's a case of 'I do not like thee, Dr. Fell.' Meldrum laughed. "But I hardly think," he wound up, "you have any solid grounds for quarrelling with him. The world is wide enough to hold both of you."
Often in the days that followed, Meldrum, moved by curiosity he could not quite account for, took his evening walk out on North Avenue past Needham's house. Of Needham himself he saw nothing. One he heard the weird tinkling of the piano, but generally the form of the little monkey in its red jacket could be seen sitting motionless at the upper front window looking out on the street. It struck Meldrum as
