The Swindler and Other Stories

discipline had strengthened an inborn reticence to a reserve of iron. He was not a disconcerting companion, because he was absolutely unobtrusive, but with all the g

n a fiendish sense of humour tempted him. This, and this alone, so it seemed to Babbacombe, had any power to draw him out. And the instant he had flung his gibe

hout question, without gratitude, smoked his cigarettes eternally, d

e a gentleman, but somehow Babbacombe had expected this much from the moment of their meeting. He sometimes told himself with a wry face that if the fellow had behaved like a beas

rigid that which had always been stubborn, driving the iron deeper and ever deeper into his soul, till only iron remained. Many were the nights he spent pondering over the romance of the woman

ry of a woman's tears would come upon him, spurring him to fresh effort. Surely the man for whom she was breaking her heart could not be wholly evil, nor yet wholly callous! Somewhere behind those steely blue eyes, there must dwell some answer to the r

ich he had set out to do, notwithstanding the utmost discouragement. An insoluble enigma the man might be to him, b

orning in November, when Babbacombe turned quietly to his companion, p

" he said. "It is standing emp

t with a brief nod. He never

ggested, as they reached the gate

on't you? We can hitch

er of dead leaves. The house was low, and tha

om, he with note-book in hand, jotting down the various deta

turn some workmen on to it next week. Perhaps you will keep an eye on them for

agent?" asked

moment-I have no agent. That is what keeps

w and opened it, leaning

able silences when Babbacombe, standing behind him,

ly, even with vehemence. "Wh

it," he said. "I am convinced that you have ample ability for this so

is own initiative. West was looking straight at him, and there was

eech, though curt, was not so

that you have carried this to

one eyebrow. "Mean

d him with most

some less expensive hobby than that of mending broken men. The pieces are always chipped and never stick, and the chances are that

stared at the man in amazement. Then, with that spontaneous kindness o

fernal rot, and I won't listen to you. Do you seriously suppose I should be such

rs in prison have deprived me of my ancient skill. Would you choose a man who has been a dru

the words and shut th

all his life. For the first time he liked the man; for the first time, so it seemed

with what you are, and whatever that may be, you are not a weak-kneed fool. You have the power to keep straight if you choose, and you are to choose. Understand? I make you this offer with a perfectly open mind, and you are to consider it in

ardonically. "You seem mighty anxious to spend your money on damaged goods, Lord Babbacombe. It's a tom-fool investment, y

y find out?" as

lders. "It's a dead ce

risk, so can you,

r good at that game. It is called

movement, and West's hard s

ued. "You are almost obtrusively obvious. It i

ence at that. The man's gri

eave it, in heaven's name let it be for some sound

n of my morals," he observed. "Well, since you are determined to brave th

changed in an instant.

down, West," he sa

e proffered hand into a grip of iron. His blue ey

he said grimly, "I