"Sorry, shan't be able to now. ---- has just been called up, and sails
from ---- for ---- on ----. So perhaps you and I had better be engaged
again. I'm longing for a bracelet.
"PHYLLIS."
There was only one way of answering this superb piece of impudence. I
enclosed a blank sheet of paper to Phyllis, signifying my complete
indifference.
Her still more negative answer was an envelope addressed to me with no
enclosure at all.
To this I replied by not replying.
And here, by all the laws of sequence, our correspondence should have
been brought to a standstill. I calculated, however, that when the
postman delivered my phantom communication next morning Phyllis would
not remain twiddling her thumbs for long.
Sure enough, about 9 A.M. I received this wire:
"Regret your letter of apology intercepted by Censor. Will take same for
granted in consideration of war-time. All is forgiven. Call here this
evening with bracelet.--PHYLLIS."
* * * * *
New Wisdom for Old.
_Grattez le Prusse, et vous trouvez le barbare._
* * * * *
Illustration: THE SUSPECT.
* * * * *