“Halloa!” said Fledgeby. “There’s something wrong!”

“How do you know it?” demanded Lammle.

“Because you show it,” replied Fledgeby in unintentional rhyme.

“Well then; there is,” said Lammle; “there is something wrong; the whole thing’s wrong.”

“I say!” remonstrated Fascination very slowly, and sitting down with his hands on his knees to stare at his glowering friend with his back to the fire.

“I tell you, Fledgeby,” repeated Lammle, with a sweep of his right arm, “the whole thing’s wrong. The game’s up.”

“What game’s up?” demanded Fledgeby, as slowly as before, and more sternly.