y
and seized his head.

"Easy over the bumps! I'm carryin' a cargo of nitroglycerine, and I'll
let go if you jar me," he explained.

"Sorry! I know how it feels. But, man alive, it's afternoon! I began to
think you were dead."

Buddy led the way into his bedroom, piled his pillows together and
gingerly lowered himself upon them. He showed his strong white teeth in
a wide grin and winked meaningly. "I'll be all right directly. It's
this here sim--sympathetic booze they talk about. Have a drink, Mr.
Gray? There's a coupla bottles of real liquor in the closet--not this
tiger's milk you get--"

The caller declined the invitation. "Where the devil have you been,
Buddy? We were getting worried."

"Who, me? Oh, I been--lookin' around."

"Your mother is nearly frantic."

Buddy stirred uneasily. "Pshaw! I'm fine. I can take keer of myself.
Nobody don't need to worry about me."

"Good! Now then, you young scoundrel, I'm going to order you the sort
of breakfast that goes with what ails you, and while it is coming up,
you are going to jump under the shower."

"Where d'you get that 'jump' stuff?" the youth inquired, faintly.
"Besides, I'm clean."

But Gray had seized the phone, and as soon as he had given his order he
strode into the bathroom and turned on the water. He was out again in a
moment, then laughingly he dragged the aching Texan from his couch.
"Under you go," he insisted, "or I'll wet down your whole Japanese
flower garden."

"Some pajamas, ain't they? I got a dozen pairs," Buddy said, proudly.

"Quick! If you think I'll consent to hang around a lonesome hotel while
you sleep, you're mistaken. I can't tell you how glad I am to run into
you, Buddy. I'm dying to have a riotous time."

"Eh?" Briskow turned an inquiring face to the speaker.

"I've been hibernating in the wilderness, sucking my paw and living off
my fat, like a bear. I want you to shown me this town."

A bath, a brisk rubdown, and breakfast put Buddy in fairly good fettle
once more; so marked was his improvement, in fact, that Gray envied him
his glorious gift of youth.

"Flying pretty high, aren't you?" the elder man inquired, with a wave
of the hand that took in the expensive suite.

"Well, I ain't exactly broke."

"True. But I know what these rooms cost. That's going strong for a lad
like you."

"You took 'em, didn't you, when you had less 'n I got?"

"Ahem! It is embarrassing to be held up as an example. I've done a good
many t