Evening star., 1924-11-09
BYP. G. WODEHOUSE.


| was aware of a murmur of voices
| behind the closed door of his bed
! room Recognizing the accents of his
| son-in-l law, he breathed an oath and
| charged in.
The sight that met his eyes when
he opened the door did nothing to
soothe him. The floor was a sea OF
| clothes And in the middle of this
welter was Archie, with a man who
like 4 tramp comedian out of o
burlesque show.
Great Godfrey!" calculated Mr.
Brewster.
Archie looked up with a friendly
| smile.
"Oh, hullo- ullo" he said afrabiy
We were just glancing through your
spare scenery to see if we couldn't
find something for my pal here. This
is Mr.. Brewster. my father-in-law
old man." Archie scanned his rela
tive's twisted features. Something ir
his expression seemed not altogether
| encouraging. He decided that the
negotiations had better be conducted
| in private. "One moment. old lad,
he said. to his new friend: II just
| want to have a talk with my father.
in-law in the other room. Just a
little friendly business chat. You
stay here"
In the other room. Mr.. Brewste,
turned on Archie like a wounded lion
of the desert.
What the"
Archie secured one of his coat but
tons and began to massage it affec.
tionately.
Ought to have explained" said
Archie. only didn't want to inter.
rupt your lunch. The sportsman on
the horizon is dear old pal OF
mine"
Mr.. Brewster wrenched himsel,
free.
What do you mean, you angle
worm, by bringing tramps into my
bedroom and messing about with my
clothes:"
That's just what i'm trying to ex-
plain. if you'll only listen. This bird
is a bird 1 met in France during the
war. He gave me a bit of sausage
outside st. Mihiel. He can't remem-
Der who he is or where he was born
or what his name is, and he's broke
SO, dash it, l must look after him
You see, he gave Inc a bit of sau-
sage"
Mr.. Brewster's frenzy gave way to
an ominous calm.
I'll give him two seconds to clear
out of here. If he isn't gone by then
I'll have him thrown out"
Archie was shocked
But you don't understand. You
haven't graSped the good old situash
This chappie has lost his memory be-
cause he was wounded in the war
Keep that fact firmly fixed in the old
bean. He fought for you-fought and
bled for you. And he saved my life
III I'd got nothing else against
him, that would be enough
But YOU can't sling a chapie out
into the cold. hard world who bled
i'll gallons to make the world safe
for the Hotel Cosmopolis! Think OF
all he went through
Mr.. Brewster looked ostentatiously
at his watch.
1.-TWO seconds" he said.
There was silence. Archie ap-
peared to be thinking.
"Right-o." he said. at last. NO
need to get the wind up. i know
where he can go. It's just occurred
to me. I'll put him up at my little
shop"
THE purple ebbed from Mr. Brew
ster's face. Such was his emo
tion that he had forgotten that in
fesnal shop. He sat down. There
was more silence. Then,
Il knew you would be reasonable
about it," said Archie approvingiy
Now honestly, as man to man, how
do We So?"
What do you want me to do ~
Growled Mr.. Brewster
i thought you might put the chap
pie up for a while, and give him a
chance to look around and nose about
Bit
Il absolutely refuse to give any
more loafers free board and Iodging.'' >
ANY more:"
Well he would be the second,
wouldn't he?"
Achie looked panied.
It's true" he said, that. when l
first came here, 1 was temporarily
resting. SO to speak; but didn't 1 go
right out and grab the managership
of your new hotel? Positively.'
Il will not adopt this tramp"
We'll, find him a. job, then"
What sort of job?'
"Oh, any old sort
HE can be a waiter if he likes
But I say, you know" said Archie
doubtfully. this chappie is a gentle
man. you know
Mr.. Brewster exploded.
''ListenS I'll give your dilapidated
friend two seconds to decide IL he
wants to be a waiter or not. If he
doesn't, he knows the way out
That two seconds thing seems to
be a perfect obsession with you. All
right: I'll put the matter before him."
He returned to the bedroom. The
sausage chappie was gazing fondly
into the mirror with spotted tie
draped around his neck.
Il say, old top" said Archie apollo
getically, the Emperor of the
Coolies out yonder isn't in one of his