CHAPTER IXA weekor two had passed, when one day Oliver called his brother on the ‘phone. “Have you or Alice any engagement this evening?” he asked. “I want to bring a friend around to dinner.”
“Who is it?” inquired Montague.
“Nobody you have heard of,” said Oliver. “But I want you to meet him. You will think he’s rather queer, but I will explainto you afterwards. Tell Alice to take my word for him.”
Montague delivered the message, and at seven o’clock they went downstairs. In the reception room they met Oliver and his friend, and it was all that Montague could do to repress a look of consternation.
The name of the personage was Mr. Gamble. He was a little man, a trifle over five feet high, and so fat that one wondered how he could get about alone; his chin and neck were a series of rol
