Bass at Calcutta, and--and----"

"And at Lucknow, I suppose," Strong said with a laugh. "I got the
beer for you on purpose: knew you'd want it after last night." And the
Colonel began to talk about his adventures of the preceding evening.

"I cannot help myself," the Colonel said, beating his head with his big
hand. "I'm a madman when I get the liquor on board me; and ain't fit
to be trusted with a spirit-bottle. When I once begin I can't stop till
I've emptied it; and when I've swallowed it, Lord knows what I say or
what I don't say. I dined at home here quite quiet. Grady gave me just
my two tumblers, and I intended to pass the evening at the Black and Red
as sober as a parson. Why did you leave that confounded sample-bottle of
Hollands out of the cupboard, Strong? Grady must go out too, and leave
me the kettle a-boiling for tea. It was of no use, I couldn't keep away
from it. Washed it all down, sir, by Jove. And it's my belief I had some
more, too, afterwards at that infernal little thieves' den."

"What, were you there too?" Strong asked, "and before you came to
Grosvenor Place? That was beginning betimes."

"Early hours to be drunk and cleared out before nine o'clock, eh? But
so it was. Yes, like a great big fool, I must go there; and found the
fellows dining, Blackland and young Moss, and two or three more of the
thieves. If we'd gone to Rouge et Noir, I must have won. But we didn't
try the black and red. No, hang 'em, they know'd I'd have beat 'em at
that--I must have beat 'em--I can't help beating 'em, I tell you. But
they was too cunnin for me. That rascal Blackland got the bones out, and
we played hazard on the dining-table. And I dropped all the money I had
from you in the morning, be hanged to my luck. It was that that set me
wild, and I suppose I must have been very hot about the head, for I went
off thinking to get some more money from Clavering, I recollect; and
then--and then I don't much remember what happened till I woke this
morning, and heard old Bows at No. 4 playing on his pianner."

Strong mused for a while as he lighted his cigar with a coal, "I should
like to know how you always draw money from Clavering, Colonel," he
said.

The Colonel burst out with a laugh--"Ha, ha! he owes it me," he said.

"I don't know that that's a reason with Frank for paying," Strong
answered. "He owes plenty besides you."

"Well, he gives it me because he is so fond of me," the other said with
the same grinni