g them a dust-encrusted bottle, whilst a satellite placed
before them two glasses which looked like the insides of chandeliers.

"The right stuff," Lord Felixstowe declared approvingly. "Trust
Louis."

"Who trusts no one, my lord," the _maitre d'hotel_ jested, with a bow.

"You won't even leave the bottle?" his youthful client implored.

"Not even for the son of my valued patron, Monsieur le Marquis," Louis
replied, bearing it off, smiling.

"I go like a giant to my task," the young man declared, as he bade
Jacob au revoir. "Prepare for great news."...

Jacob spent a pleasant and a harmless evening wandering about the
Sporting Club, winning and losing a few five-louis plaques, and
sitting for a while outside the Cafe de Paris. He went to bed early,
with a view to a golf match on the morrow, and was wakened by a dead
weight upon his shins. He sat up and found Felixstowe sitting on the
bed, regarding him sorrowfully.

"Hullo!" Jacob exclaimed. "Where are the spoils?"

The young man opened his lips and spoke illuminating words concerning
Monte Carlo, gambling generally, number five table in the Rooms, and
the squint-eyed croupier particularly. In conclusion, he referred to
himself in terms, if possible, even more lurid. By the time he had
finished, Jacob was thoroughly awake.

"Lend me ten louis, old chap, for the journey," his nocturnal visitor
begged. "You'll have to wait for your pony."

"Take it off the dressing table," Jacob replied. "What's the hurry?"

"I'm off in three hours' time. Catching the early morning train."

Jacob hesitated for a moment.

"Look here, Felix," he suggested, "if you'd like to have another go at
them--"

Felixstowe shook his head.

"I'm not built that way," he interrupted. "I've given them best this
time. You see," he went on, "it's a mug's game, after all, and meant
for mugs. I shall wait and pick up my little bit where the grey
matter talks, what?"

"I see," Jacob replied. "Perhaps you are right. Sorry to lose you,
though."

"I'll look you up in town," the young man promised.

CHAPTER XV

Jacob lingered for a month in Monte Carlo. While he found little to
attract him in the gambling or the social side of the place, the
glorious climate, the perpetual sunshine, the fine air of La Turbie,
and a pleasing succession of golf victories helped him to pass the
time pleasantly. He spent a week at Cannes on the way back, making
wonderful progress in his tennis, and fro