Evening star., 1939-08-20
!" HERE are moments when the company
of my friend De Trevile carries me back


conscious musketeer comes to life and am
aware of his reincarnation. As Trevvy lounged
on the couch one summer evening in our
high-up apartment in New York, such an
impression was borne very strongly upon me.
He was lolling near an open window, wear
ing an elderly dressing gown and smoking
disreputable clay pipe which he treasured.
We had dined in our apartment and had no
engagement for the evening. Some of the
queer experiences which we had shared during
our visit remained to be chronicled, and was
looking forward to arranging my notes with
out interference At the moment, however,
was enjoying repose, lying back in an arm
chair an iced drink at my elbow
This repose was oddly interrupted.
Il love Paddy" croaking voice remarked.
Trevvy removed the pipe from between his
teeth and laid it in an ashtray. He did not
otherwise stir except to turn his head in the
direction of one of the open windows.
l presently discerned shape upon the
ledge outside: that of white bird, which had
about it a queerly unfamiliar look.
did not move. Unless am quite mis-
taken," Trevvy said in low voice, "a white
jackdaw - and white jackdaws are rare
Paddy is peach, remarked the jackdaw.
The sentiments of this bird are hrst-class
publicity for Paddy. Id like to improve our
acquaintance But we must be very cautious.
Have you any idea, Digger, how one attracts
the favorable attention of a jackdaw?'
= "Jackdaws are notoriously attracted by
bright objects
Trevvy disengaged the cord of his monocle.
and held the glass up questioningy.
The very thing
Paddy loves me, said the bird
You are clearly blessed by fortune
Trevvy said. Quietly approaching on slippered
feet he laid the monocle on the ledge inside
the window where sunset rays glittered upon
it. He returned to the couch and we watched.
The jackdaw f1uttered its wings uneasily,
= then, recovering confidence, hoped into the
room saw that it already held something
bright in its beak, although what it was |
could not make out. Each time, before speak
ing it had put this thing down and then taken
it up again.
We remained perfectly still. Dropping the
object the jackdaw picked up the eyeglass,
set it down again and seemed to examine it
critically Retrieving whatever the thing was
which it had brought with it, and head cooked
sideways, the bird critically surveyed Trevvy
and then myself. The inspection apparently
being favorable to our characters, the jack
daw flew on to the dining table where bowl
of fruit remained and delicately detached
I grape from bunch.
Close the window near to you Digger,
|Trevvy whispered.
stood up as quietly as possible; he did
the same - and we closed both windows.
The jackdaw went on nibbling grapes.
VERY odd indeed" said Trevvy.
The jackdaw was now trying to crack the
thing it had brought in its beak, which re-
sembled small silver ball.
Il am intensely curious, confess. What
ever is that silver ball?" said Trevvy.
Probably something it has stolen from
Paddy"
Il love Paddy" the jackdaw repeated.
See if your scarab ring will attract its at
tention," Trevvy suggested. Put it at the
end of the table there"
| did So The jackdaw, which was obviously
quite tame seemed to have accepted US in
friendly spirit But it picked up the silver ball
again, and surveyed me doubtfully from the
further end of the table.
At this moment we were interrupted. The