“Then you are not in need of money, Mr. Wilde,” I inquired.

“Listen,” he coughed again.

“ Mrs. C. Hamilton Chester, of Chester Park, New York City. Called April 7th. Reputation damaged at Dieppe, France. To be repaired by October 1st. Retainer five hundred dollars.

“Note.⁠— C. Hamilton Chester, Captain U.S.S. Avalanche , ordered home from South Sea Squadron October 1st.”

“Well,” I said, “the profession of a Repairer of Reputations is lucrative.”