Well, Ram Dass claimed thecredit of stopping that
game by his psychological dodges. Sandy was furious about themuddle in the Near East
and the mishandling of Turkey.
When I taxed him with it hegrinned and didnt deny
it. As I was putting on my coat, Sandy came up.
About half-past three, it would be, ortwenty
minutes to four.
I barely know him, but I must confess that the few
times Ive methim I was enormously attracted.
Within his insane postulates he isbrilliantly
sane.
I was as afraid of the light before me as a child
ofa bogy.
Now, when I bid you, you begin your
life.
As soon as I looked away from the light I regained
some possessionof my wits.
Youre under the spell, I suppose, he
said.
One of them once said that I was about
asunsympathetic as Table Mountain. Meaning that you must be pussyfoot if youwould be
a big man.
Though I says it as shouldnt,its a show most people
would give their right hand to be in.
It had awakened to the most eager
interest.
It was this morning, Sir Richard, the man replied,
with thesuspicion of a grin.
I wasconsidering what had ailed Sandy when Medina
raised the subject. It might be apose, but there was nothing of the conventional
despair of thecallow poet. The idea was nonsense; in any case a drugged man does not
have aclean tongue the next morning.
Did you ever hear his name coupled with a young
womans? It was my ancient friend Turpin, who had been liaison officerwith my old
division. Looks asif the madeira had touched up his liver.
But there is one kind offanatic whose strength
comes from balance, from a lunatic balance.
Blenkiron, he thought, might be interested in
thescheme and put up some of the capital. I noticed that, asat our luncheon three
days before, he drank only water.
It was not his eyes or any one feature
thatenthralled me, for I did not notice any details.
But I understoodMedinas verses well
enough.
I had neverhad an illness in my life, except
malaria, and I was as nervous asa cat.