. Guess she'll
hustle him off in a while."

"You guess he's soused?"

Kars' question startled his companion.

"What d'you make it then?"

"He hasn't taken a drink since you pointed him out. Nor has his dame."

Both men continued to watch the mud-stained creature. Nor was he
particularly prepossessing, apart from his general uncleanness. His
shock of uncombed, dark hair grew low on his forehead. His dark eyes
were narrow. There was something artificial in his lounging attitude,
and the manner in which he was pawing the woman with him.

"You guess he's acting drunk?" There was concern in Bill's voice.

"Can't say for sure."

The orchestra had started a waltz, and the new dance seemed to claim
all the dancers. Alec and Maude were one of the first couples to
appear. But the onlookers were watching the stranger. He had roused
up, and was talking to his woman. A few moments later they emerged
from their table to join the dancers.

"Going to dance," Bill commented. "He sure looks soused."

The man was swaying about as he moved. Kars' searching gaze missed
nothing. The couple began to dance. And for all the man's
unsteadiness it was clear he was a good, if reckless, dancer. The
sober gait of the other dancers, however, seemed unsuited to his taste,
and he began to sweep through the crowd with long racing strides which
his woman could scarcely keep pace with.

Kars stood up.

"He'll get thrown out," said Bill. "Pap won't stand for that play.
He'll tear up the floor with his nailed boots."

The man had swept round the hall, and he and his partner were lost
under the balcony beneath the box in which the "onlookers" were sitting.

In a moment a cry came up from beneath them in a woman's voice.
Another second and a chorus of men's angry voices almost drowned the
music. The men in the orchestra were craning, and broad smiles lit
some of their faces. Other dancers had come to a halt. They, too,
were gazing with varying expressions of inquiry and curiosity, but none
with any display of alarm.

"He's boosted into some one," said Bill.

A babel of voices came up from below. They were deep with fierce
protest. The trouble was gaining in seriousness. Kars leaned out of
the box. He could see nothing of what was going on. He abruptly drew
back, and turned to his companion.

"Say----"

But his words remained unuttered. He was interrupted by a violent
shout from below.

"You son-of-a----!"