an
who did not know when he had had enough. "What about his job?" he asked.

"His job? Oh, I see. His job doesn't worry him much. He's absent on
sick-leave. But he's all fit again and I know he will be disappointed if
you do not come to-morrow."

"I will not go," said Ranald, with final decision, "and you can tell him
so, and you can tell him why."

And Harry did tell him with considerable fullness and emphasis not only
of Ranald's decision, but also Ranald's opinion of him, for he felt that
it would do that lordly young man no harm to know that a man whom he was
inclined to patronize held him in contempt and for cause. The lieutenant
listened for a time to all Harry had to say with apparent indifference,
then suddenly interrupting him, he said: "Oh, I say, old chap,
I wouldn't rub it in if I were you. I have a more or less vague
remembrance of having rather indulged in heroics. One can't keep his
head with poker and unlimited brandy-and-sodas; they don't go together.
It's a thing I almost never do; never in a big game, but the thing got
interesting before I knew. But I say, that Glengarry chap plays a mighty
good game. Must get him on again. Feels hot, eh? I will make that all
right, and what's the French chap's name--Boileau, Rondeau, eh? Rouleau.
Yes, and where could one see him?"

"I can find out from LeNoir, who will be somewhere near Ranald. You
can't get him away from him."

"Well, do," said the lieutenant, lazily. "Bring LeNoir to see me. I owe
that Rouleau chap an apology. Beastly business! And I'll fix it up with
Macdonald. He has the right of it, by Jove! Rather lucky, I fancy, he
didn't yield to my solicitations for a try at the other game--from what
I remember of the street riot, eh? Would not mind having a go with him
with the gloves, though. I will see him to-morrow morning. Keep your
mind at rest."

Next morning when LeNoir came to his work he was full of the
lieutenant's praises to Ranald.

"Das fine feller le Capitaine, eh? Das de Grand Seigneur for sure! He's
mak eet all right wit Rouleau! He's pay de cash money and he's mak eet
de good posish for him, an' set him up the champagne, too, by gar!"

"Huh," grunted Ranald. "Run that crib around the boom there LeNoir;
break it up and keep your gang moving to-day!"

"Bon!" said LeNoir, with alacrity. "I give 'em de big move, me!"

But however unwilling Ranald was to listen to LeNoir singing the
lieutenant's praises, when he met Harry at noon in