Charles Rex

ow. He still wore the brown and gold hotel-livery as there was nothing else on board to fit him, but

aid to Toby, whose shining look showed na

o sea again he was no longer an invalid. He followed Saltash wherever he went, attended scrupulously to his comfort, and

regard to his past, taking him for granted in a fashion that set Toby completely at ease. No one else had much to do w

thes, or swept and dusted the state-cabin in which he slept. He himself had returned to his own small den that led out of Salt

rp lines went out of his face. His laugh was frequent and wholly care-free. He even developed a certain impudence in his attitude towards his master to which Saltas

amused himself with his protege, teaching him picquet and chess, and finding in him an apt and eager pupil. There was a good deal of the gambler's spirit in Toby, an

gely, he was amazed, more disconcerted than he had been for years by the consequences. For it was not his way to disturb himself over anything. His principles we

," he said, black brows drawn to a stern

our pacing the deck, cursing himself, the youngster, and t

time in his life. As he himself whimsically expressed it, he had received ample correction

t-sleeves, rather white but quite compose

ore?" he asked him cur

id Toby, with

ing note in Saltash's voic

that was like a flash of blue flame. "No,

're caught this time-fairly caught. I may not be a specially fit pe

with his hands twisted into

nt back it cried shame on him. Toby made no sound, but at the third stroke he winced, an

in!" he said, and swung

ry?

striding out through the dining-saloon and up the companion

word with him a little later, but Larpent, knowing him, merely

o Toby in attendance. His first impulse was to look for him, but he checked it and dresse

ther. Usually Toby stood behind his master's chair, and the vacant plac

paringly, and when not listening to Saltash's somewhat spasmodic conversation appeared

"Larpent, wait a minute-unless you'r

ace with the air of a man making a minute calculation.

d to Larpent as the man went to obey, "That's decent of you. Thought you were going to refuse. I was damned offensive

my lord," said Larpent,

e you, Larpent," he said. "You always tell the truth. Well, let's go! We shan't make Jamaic

s?" suggested Larpent,

man who bought my racing-stud-always looks for me about now. You o

er made any sign of resentment, yet was Saltash never wholly at his ease when he knew that he had taxed his forbearanc

trail behind her. Saltash lay in a deck-chair with his face to the sky, but his attitude was utterly lacking in the solid repose that cha

e, "if you were a damned rotter-like

veyed him. "I shouldn't run a home for

ppose you'd leave 'em in the gutter to st

ow-to look after 'em." Larpent's voice was eminently practical if somewhat devoid of symp

r as though something pricked him. "Think

t for me to say. All diseases are not ca

enly and rather bitterly.

back again and puffed

for most thing

n change his skin

A painful process no doubt!" he said. "

" said

er and bade him good-night, he reached up a

ks for putting up with me! Su

yourself," said Larpent w

nced, curiously impulsive, strangely irresponsible, possessing through all a charm which seldom failed to hold its own. He realized by instinct that Saltash was wrestling with himself that n

ht, with gleaming brass buttons, standing behind his vacant chair. He turned sharply to look at it, some inexplicable emotion twi

ingers, and in a flash Toby was kneeling by his side. The arm closed aro

motionless with eyes half-closed. Save for the vitality of his hold, he might have been on the verge of slumbe

en force had prodded him into action. He spoke with a brevity that

en sulking a

ice and burrowed a lit

t you come befor

," whispered

head. His speech was no longer curt, but gentle, with a half-quizzical te

pped down in a sitting position by Saltash's side and

hurt you much,

hurt me-at all." To

ant-not to hurt

dently," observed Saltash, with

assured him with nervous vehemence. "I only did it

hat?" asked Sa

ot explain himself, an

ed. "I shouldn't certainly make a profession of

of having something more t

er force compelled. "I can't talk pi-jaw-on this

t him with eyes that blazed passionately blue in the s

imes wears. "You needn't believe it, son, if you don't want to," he said. "But it's true all t

again almost fiercely. "I'd k

our protection I'll be sure to ask for it." He flicked the young face with his finger. "But you're not to follow my e

sir," said Toby swiftly. "Yo

ponder the matter. "I can't say off-hand what I'm going to do w

quick with agitation. "But you won't send me

h. "Look here! I think there's been e

mean to chuck me away-after that! Please, sir, I'll do anything-anything under the sun-for you. And you-you can kick me-do anything to me

nd he held so tenaciously and began to sob

er silence and immobility. Then, abr

, stop it-stop it, do

f as he uttered them, seeking to free his hand t

o to bed! What? Oh, don't cry! Pull y

ight, sir," he jerked out, and stumbled trembling to his feet. "I know I'm a fool, sir. I'm sor

Can't you see-that's just what I want to prevent

iously unboylike. "I'd go to hell and stay

d!" said

ppling sheen of water. Finally he turned and looked at the silent figure waiting beside his chair, and a very strang

be damned if you want to! I daresay it w

with a swift movement. "Tha

tash with something that was not far removed

s face; a smile in which cynicism and some vag

he said, and paused,

sely bright, looked straight back.

brief, mocking laugh. "

e said.

dly blow on the shoulder a

swiftly, witho