take to drink; I refer to
the law. Listen, Flamby, I was wrong to try to deceive you as well as
the others. Besides, it is not necessary. You are unusual. I stopped a
stray piece of shrapnel a fortnight after I went back and was sent to a
hospital in Burton-on-Trent. The M.O.'s have a positive genius for
sending men to spots remote from their homes and kindreds--appalling
sentence. In this case it was a blessing in disguise. By some muddle or
another my name was omitted from the casualty list, or rather it was
printed as 'Norton,' and never corrected publicly. I accepted the
kindness of the gods. Imagine my relief. I had pictured sisters and
cousins and the dear old Aunt dragging themselves to
Burton-on-Trent--and I am the only beer drinker in the family. I know
you won't betray my gruesome secret, Flamby."

Flamby's eyes were so misty that she averted her face. "Oh, Don," she
said unsteadily, "and I wrote to you only three days ago and thought you
were safe."

Don unbuttoned the left breast-pocket of his tunic and flourished a
letter triumphantly. "Young Conroy has been forwarding all my mail," he
explained, "and I have addressed my letters from nowhere in particular
and sent them to him to be posted! Now, what about the guile and
subtlety of the serpent! Let us take counsel with the great Severus
Regali. I am allowed a little clear soup and an omelette, now."

* * * * *

Don and Flamby arrived late at Regali's and were compelled to wait for a
time in the little inner room. There were many familiar faces around the
tables. Chauvin was there with Madame Rilette, the human geranium, and
Hammett; Wildrake, editor of the _Quartre d'Arts_ revue and the Baronne
G., Paris's smartest and most up-to-date lady novelist. The Baronne had
been married four times. Her latest hobby was libel actions. Archibald
Forester, renowned as an explorer of the psychic borderland, and wearing
green tabs and a crown upon his shoulder-strap, discussed matters Alpine
with an Italian artillery officer. On the whole the atmosphere was
distinctly Savage that day. Flamby accepted a cigarette from Don and sat
for awhile, pensive. With a jade-green velvet tam-o'-shanter to set off
the coppery high-lights of her hair she was a picture worthy of the
admiration which was discernible in Don's eyes. Presently she said, "I
found you out a long time ago."

"Found me out?"

"Yes, found you out. I don't know to this day how