The Spectator., 1915-04-16
CHAPTER XV.
A Bit of a Lark,

Mallow gave Craig one of his favor ite cigars. The gambler turned it over and inspected the carnelian label. realizing that this was expected of him. Mallow smiled complacently. They might smoke as good as that at the government house. but he rather doubted 1t. Trust a Britisher to know good pipe-charge; but his selection of cigars was seldom to be depended upon.
 Don't see many of these out here. was Craig's comment, and he tucked away the cigar in vest pocket.
 They cost me forty-three cents apiece. without duty" The vulgarian's pleasure lies not in the article itself so much as in the price paid for it. On the plantation Mallow smoked Burma cheroots because he really pre- ferred them. There, he drank rye whisky, consorted with his employees. gambled with them and was not above cheating when he had them drunk enough. Away from home. however, he was the man of money; he bought vintage wines when he could, wore silks, jingled the sovereigns whenever he thought someone might listen. bull lied the servants, all with the childish belief that he was following the foot steps of aristocracy, hoodwinking no one, not even his kind. I'm worth a quarter of a million." he went on. Luck and plugging did 1t. One of these fine days I'm going to sell out and take whack at that gay Paris. There's the place to spend your pile. You can't get your moneys worth any place else.'
 Paris. Craig's thought flew back to the prosperous days when he was ply ing his trade between New York and Cherbourg, on the Atlantic liners. the annual fortnight in Paris and the Grand Prix. He had had his diamonds. then. and his wallet of yellow backs; and when he had called for vintage wines and choice Havanas it had been for genuine love of them. In his heart he despised Mallow. He knew himself to be rogue. but Mallow without money would have been bold preda- tory scoundrel. Craig knew also that he himself was at soul too cowardly to be more than despicably bad. He envied Mallow's absolute fearlessness. his frank brutality, his strength upon which dissipation had as yet left no mark; and Mallow was easily forty i've.
 "When you go to Paris. I'd like to go along"
 You've never let on why they sent you hiking out here." Mallow sug- gested.
 "one of my habits is keeping my mouth shut"
 "Regarding your own affairs, yes. But you're willing enough to talk when it comes to giving away the other chap"
 "You can play that hand as well as T can" Craig scowled toward the dining room doors.
 "Ha! There they come" said Nal low, as a group of men and women is- sued out into the cafe veranda. By gatl she is . beauty, and no mistake. And will you look at our friend, the colonel, toddling behind her?"
 If you could get a good look at her when she's angry. you'd change your tune"
 MaIlow sighed ausisbly. Most wom. en are tame. and that's why I've fought shy of the yoke. Yonder's the sort for me. The maE who marries her will have his work cut out. It'll take year or two to fnd out who's boss; and G she wins. lord help the man!"
 Craig eyed the group which was now seated. Two Chinamen were serving coffee and cordials. Mallow was right: beautiful was the word. He poured out for himself stiff peg and drank it with very little soda.
 Haven't seen ths crow anywhere. baye your