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were somewhat relaxed, and he drank more wine than usual.
    The soup had just been removed when someone who was late, entered with apologies and took his seat. Someone in this case was Mr Felix Rolleston, one of the best known young men in Melbourne. He had an income of his own, scribbled a little for the papers, was to be seen at every house of any pretentions to fashion in Melbourne, and was always bright, happy, and full of news. Whenever any scandal occurred, Felix Rolleston was sure to know it first, and could tell more about it than anyone else. He knew everything that was going on, both at home and abroad. His knowledge, if not very accurate, was at least extensive, and his conversation was piquant and witty. As Calton, one of the leading lawyers of the city, said: ‘Rolleston put him in mind of what Beaconsfield said of one of his characters in Lothair, “He wasn’t an intellectual Croesis, but his pockets were always full of sixpences.”’ There was agood deal of truth in Calton’s remark, and Felix always distributed his sixpences freely. The conversation had been dull for the last few minutes at the Frettlby dinner table, consequently, when Felix arrived, everybody brightened up, as they felt certain now that the conversation would be amusing.
    â€˜So awfully sorry, don’t you know,’ said Felix, as he slipped into a seat by Madge, ‘but a fellow like me has got to be careful of his time—so many calls on it.’
    â€˜So many calls in it, you mean,’ retorted Madge, with a disbelieving smile. ‘Confess, now, you have been paying a round of visits.’
    â€˜Well, yes,’ assented Mr Rolleston, ‘that’s the disadvantage of having a large circle of acquaintances. They give you weak tea and thin bread and butter, whereas—’
    â€˜You would rather have a B. and S. and some devilled kidneys,’ finished Brian.
    There was a laugh at this, but Mr Rolleston disdained to notice the interruption.
    â€˜The only advantage of five o’clock tea,’ he went on, ‘is, that it brings people together, and one hears what’s going on.
    â€˜Ah, yes, Rolleston,’ said Mr Frettlby, who was looking at him with an amused smile. ‘What news have you?’
    â€˜Good news, bad news, and such news as you have never heard of,’ quoted Rolleston gravely. ‘Yes, I have a bit of news—haven’t you heard it?’
    As no one knew what the news was they could notvery well say that they had, so Rolleston was happy, having found out that he could make a sensation.
    â€˜Well, do you know,’ he said, gravely fixing in his eyeglass, ‘they have found out the name of the fellow that was murdered in the hansom cab.’
    â€˜Never!’ cried everyone eagerly.
    â€˜Yes,’ went on Rolleston, ‘and what’s more, you all know him.’
    â€˜It’s never Whyte,’ said Brian, in a horrified tone.
    â€˜Hang it, how did you know?’ said Rolleston, rather annoyed at being forestalled. ‘Why, I just heard it at the St Kilda station.’
    â€˜Oh, easily enough,’ said Brian, rather confused. ‘I used to see Whyte constantly, and as I had not set eyes on him for the last two weeks, I thought it might be him.’
    â€˜How did they find out who it was,’ asked Mr Frettlby, idly toying with his wine glass.
    â€˜Oh, one of those detective fellows, you know,’ answered Felix. ‘They know everything.’
    â€˜I’m sorry to hear it,’ said Frettlby, referring to the fact that Whyte was murdered. ‘He had a letter of introduction to me, and seemed a clever, pushing, young fellow.’
    â€˜A confounded cad,’ muttered Felix, under his breath; and Brian, who overheard him, seemed inclined to assent.
    For the rest of the meal nothing was talked aboutbut the murder, and the mystery in which it was shrouded. When the ladies retired they chatted about it in