Brown, a friend of mine, he said, who will take on
Joe Japps jobfor the night. I will give you proofs, he said, withunwonted passion in
his voice. It is an honour to make youracquaintance.
After a good deal of pressing he produced this
story.
Will you oblige me by taking off your glasses, sir?
There was the usual trouble with several procrastinating drunks,who wanted to make a
night of it.
Queerthing, said one of these, but one would almost
think you had beena soldier yourself. I had a look at the horses,which were the
ordinary skinny, broad-backed, circus ponies. And to the moreintelligent he would
propound an illustration.
In a second or two he was joined by three others,
amongthem my persecutor. His voice was saddened, and dejection wrapped him likea
cloud. He was perfectly sober now and looked veryugly.
In a second or two he was joined by three others,
amongthem my persecutor. They were whiskyfied ruffians and not muchgood in a
hunt.
The General laughed, shrugged his shoulders, but
allowed himself tobe persuaded. We respectedhis decision and kept off Arabia.
There,being profoundly bored, he wrote out and sent to us this story.
I am only a little way on theroad to enlightenment.
Ive put colour into many adowie life, and Ive been a godsend to the bairns.
Itmatters nothing to me which side wins, but it matters much that Ikeep my soul
clean. I wouldnt like to go through it again,sir. You say you areready to strike
with a crushing force. The hearts of yourenemies have become like water, and they
have few reserves left.
He had a lot of badinage with Zenobia about her
life inthe desert. It seemed he had been intendedfor the kirk, but had had too much
joie de vivre for the pulpit. I found there was only a coat and waistcoat, forI was
allowed to retain the top-boots and cords. Ulrici pressed him further on the matter
of Britain, but couldwake no bitterness. Will you oblige me by taking off your
glasses, sir?