CHAPTER IV.

THE REFEREE CASE.

Henry missing—Oscar’s account of the falling out—Jessie incredulous—Henry’s defence—A reluctant admission—Jessie’s plan for settling the quarrel—Rights of partners—Henry obstinate—Another proposal—Referees—Henry’s reluctance—He yields—The award to be binding—Ronald’s version of the quarrel—Wherein he was to blame—He agrees to the referee plan—The referees chosen—The meeting—Henry’s arrival—His embarrassment—Ronald’s talkativeness—Fast skating—Subsiding into silence—Examination of the two parties—Ronald’s comments on the proceedings—Anticipating the decision—Making up—Summoned to the tribunal—The referees surprised—They take it coolly—Looking after the fees—Reading the award—The decision carried out—The gallery of literary portraits—Jessie’s taste for drawing—Twenty-four characters enigmatically expressed—The key, 71