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THE FOUR PHILANTHROPISTS

all in favor of an early operation. It clears one's mind, and sets things really going. Let's get to ork on Pudleigh; but let's get to work on him as a paying proposition."

"Very good: Pudleigh it is," said I. "To-morrow I will go and see Morton, one of the firm of lawyers who had the business of the granite quarry orphan in hand, and learn all I can about Pudleigh."

We were silent a while, considering. Then Chelubai said: "Well, we seem to have got things pretty well fixed up. I can't see anything else to arrange at present. Let's go along to the Club and get a rubber. And on the way we'll call in at the Savoy and talk to the manager of the Restaurant about giving us the right kind of dinner to inaugurate our change of life."

"I should have thought that since we are becoming definitely 'Champions of Humanity,' we ought to set about leading the simple life," said I.

"Not a bit of it,"said Chelubai firmly. "The strenuous life if you like. But, any way, we'll have a farewell dinner to the old, easy life of wastrels."

He discussed the dinner with the manager with the thoughtful care the matter called for, and we went on to the Club. I did not abate my usual points, for I could fall back on Chelubai or Bottiger if I lost. But I won.

The game gave us an excellent appetite, and