ngue licking at dry lips. Medaine still gave no
indication that she had heard. Ba'tiste, his knit cap still crushed in
his big hands, moved forward.

"Go on."

"Gradually, the quarrel wore off and Tom became more than friendly,
still harping, however, on the fact that he had tremendous news for my
father. I tried to get rid of him. It was impossible. He suggested
that we go to dinner together and insisted upon it. There was nothing
to do but acquiesce; especially as I now was trying to draw from him
something of what had brought him there. We had wine. I was weak
physically. It went to my head, and Tom seemed to take a delight in
keeping my glass full. Oh," and he swerved suddenly toward the woman
at the window, "I'm not trying to make any excuses for myself. I
wanted if--after that first glass or two, it seemed there wasn't enough
in the world. He didn't force it on me--he didn't play the part of a
tempter or pour it down my throat. I took it readily enough. But I
couldn't stand it. We left the cafe, he fairly intoxicated, myself
greatly so. We saw the advertisement of a prize fight and went,
getting seats near the ring-side. They weren't close enough for me. I
bribed a fellow to let me sit at the press stand, next to the
timekeeper, and worried him until he let me have the mallet that he was
using to strike the gong.

"The fight was exciting--especially to me in my condition. I was
standing most of the time, even leaning on the ring. Once, while in
this position, one of the men, who was bleeding, was knocked down. He
struck the mallet. It became covered with blood. No one seemed to
notice that, except myself--every one was too excited. A moment more
and the fight was over, through a knock-out. Then I stuck the mallet
in my pocket, telling every one who cared to hear that I was carrying
away a souvenir. Langdon and I went out together.

"We started home--for he had announced that he was going to spend the
night with me. Persons about us heard him. It was not far to the
house and we decided to walk. On the way, he demanded the mallet for
himself and pulled it out of my pocket. I struggled with him for it,
finally however, to be bested, and started away. He followed me a
block or so, taunting me with his superior strength and cursing me as
the son of a man whom he intended to make bow to his every wish. I ran
then and, evading him, went home and to bed. About four o'clock in the
morn