--I
know that, sir, and I'm sorry--but I guess I was thinking that about the
end justifies--_you_ know it, sir?"

I didn't know, but I did wish _he_ would make an end!

"The library windows was open on the loggia, sir, and when I looked in,
I didn't see anybody and I thought--" Jenkins coughed and looked
devilish rattled--"thought I would just slip in and lay a few of the
temperance pledges between the papers the judge had been working on."
Jenkins reddened, looking at me in an appealing way.

"Jove!" I ejaculated, staring. "Oh, I say, now!"

"Yes, sir,"--faintly--"I knew how you would feel--I ain't excusing
myself, sir; and when I heard your voice I tried to get out, but there
wasn't time, so I--" Jenkins touched his hands in front, then behind
him, and shifted distressfully, "I--I hid behind the alcove
curtains--h'm--and just then--"

"Here!" I broke in, "_Wait_, dash it! _Whose_ voice did you hear?"

Jenkins' eyes ducked.

"Yours, sir," he said faintly. "And then you came in."

I stared, trying to take it in. Couldn't chirp a word, don't you know,
for to _think_ I had taken to sleep-walking--and _here_!

Jenkins proceeded rapidly: "You was cording a dressing-robe about you as
you came in and I see a glimpse of one of your dark suits underneath.
And following right behind you was that young Mr. Bi--h'm--pardon, sir,
I remember you said I wasn't to mention any one connected with that
ni--h'm! _You_ know who I mean, sir?"--he paused anxiously--"Young man,
sir--freckled face--and the big lot of"--his spreading fingers curved
above his head--"_awfully_ yellow hair--um, _you_ know, sir?"

"Oh, _that_!" I said with contempt, for I knew he meant that mucker,
Scoggins. Then incredulously: "Oh, I say, you don't mean I was talking
to _him_? And asleep?"

Jenkins eyed me reproachfully. "Not asleep, sir," he remonstrated
gently.

"But I tell you--"

"Mr. Lightnut, sir, it was the _punch_!" He shook his head. "If you'll
excuse me for mentioning--"

"Oh!" I remarked weakly, falling back upon my pillow. "Jove, Jenkins!"
And I just looked at him stupidly--fact!

Jenkins stroked his chin, his eyes fixed somberly above my head. "The
demon rum, sir," he said slowly, and using the deep, heavy chest tones
like the high-up politicians and expensive lecturers, "is rampant in our
fair land--that's what I heard Doctor Splasher remark--and the insid'jus
monster is slowly--"

And he went on, but I didn't hear. I was trying