Men came forward to testify that Snaffle entered the club alone on the
evening when Fenton was said to have brought him there, while Tom
Bently, Ainsworth, and others had seen the artist come in afterward,
and had spoken with him before he went upstairs with Fred Rangely to
the card-room. The Executive Committee found itself in a most awkward
predicament, and its members took what comfort they could in pitching
upon the Secretary, who had, without authorization, announced the vote
of censure on the call for the monthly meeting. He was now directed to
write to Mr. Fenton a letter of apology, which he did with such small
grace as he could command, taking the precaution to mark the note
"confidential."
The artist experienced more than a feeling of conscious virtue at being
thus exonerated from a fault which he had committed; and it was with
mingled glee and a certain dare-devil desperation that he resolved upon
his own course of action.
The monthly meeting of the St. Filipe came on the evening of the day
when Mrs. Staggchase gave her luncheon. By a misunderstanding of
Fenton's wishes, his wife had invited friends to dine that night. He
meant to excuse himself after dinner and go to the club for a short
time, returning to his guests after he had said a few words upon which
he had determined.
The guests were Mr. and Mrs. Stewart Hubbard, Helen Greyson, Ethel
Mott, Miss Catherine Penwick, Thayer Kent, the Rev.
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