I knew myself a match for
this business. I didn't strangle him, even though he provoked
me by adding, 'Yes, and now we're met, out here, you can be
useful to me in a lot of little ways. Know French, don't you?
Well, I don't, and we'll throw that in. . . . What I mean is,
What d'ye say to our joining forces? I'm fed up with these
Cook's men. They do their best, I don't deny. But this
business of the lingo is a stiffer fence than I bargained for.
Now, with a fellow-countryman to swap talk; _and_ a gentleman,
and one that can patter to the waiters and at the railway
stations--What do you say to it, Doctor? Shall we let bygones
be bygones?'

"I did not strangle him, Roddy, even for that. I sat pretty
still for a while, pretending to consider.

"'It's odd, Mr. Farrell,' said I after a bit, 'that you should
invite me to be your companion. You'll always remember that you
invited me?'

"''Course I shall,' said he. 'Let's be sociable--that's my
offer.'

"I threw away my cigar. 'Provided you make no suggestion beyond
it, I accept,' said I. 'We will take this trip together.
Do you mean to stay long at Monte Carlo?'

"'Pretty place,' said Farrell. 'Been up to La Turbie? No, of
course; you've only just arrived. Well, I can recommend it--
funny little railway takes you up, and the view from the top is
a knock-out. But I'm your man, wherever you'll do the
personally-conducting. I'm not wedded to this place. Only came
here because I understood it was fast, and I wanted to see.'

"'Where's your hotel?' I asked.

"'Grand Hotel, next door,' he answered. 'What' yours?'

"'The same,' said I. 'We'll meet at _dejeuner_--same table.
Twelve noon, if that suits.'

"'I don't know if you're wedded to this place--' said he.

"'Not one little bit,' I answered.

"'Inside there, for instance?'

"'You saw,' said I. 'I came out because I disliked the smell.'

"'And there's that pigeon-shooting. Goes on all day. I hate
taking life--even if I could--'

"'You've once before,' said I, 'suspected me of being careless
about the sufferings of animals; and you've, apologised.
Shall we call it off? I don't shoot pigeons anyway.'

"'Me either,' Farrell agreed heartily. 'I'm here for fresh air
and exercise. Don't mind confessing t