t, you Cashless.' Often I see this same thing when boy in
West Africa, very common wherever sun shine. I note all these matters
and I deduct--that Jeekie's way and Jeekie seldom wrong."

Alan laughed for the third time, until the tears ran down his face
indeed.

"Jeekie," he said, "you are a great rascal----"

"Yes, yes," interrupted Jeekie, "great rascal. Best thing to be in
this world, Major. Honourable Sir Robert, Bart., M.P., and Mr.
Champers-Haswell, D.L., J.P., they find that out long ago and sit on
top of tree of opulent renown. Jeekie great rascal and therefore have
Savings Bank account--go on, Major."

"Well, Jeekie, because if you are a rascal you are kind-hearted and
because I believe that you care for me----"

"Oh! Major," broke in Jeekie again, "that most 'utterably true. Honour
bright I love you, Major, better than anyone on earth, except my late
old woman, now happily dead, gone and forgotten in best oak coffin, L4
10 without fittings but polished, and perhaps your holy uncle, Reverend
Mr. Austin, also coffined and departed, who saved me from early
extinction in a dark place. Major, I no like graves, I see too much of
them, and can't tell what lie on other side. Though everyone say they
know, Jeekie not quite sure. May be all light and crowns of glory, may
be damp black hole and no way out. But this at least true, that I love
you better, yes, better than Miss Barbara, for love of woman very poor,
uncertain thing, quick come, quick go. Jeekie find that out--often. Yes,
if need be, though death most nasty, if need be I say I die for you,
which great unpleasant sacrifice," and Jeekie in the genuine enthusiasm
of his warm heart, throwing himself upon his knees after the African
fashion, seized his master's hand and kissed it.

"Thanks, Jeekie," said Alan, "very kind of you, I am sure. But we
haven't come to that yet, though no one knows what may happen later on.
Now sit upon that chair and take a little whisky--not too much--for I am
going to ask your advice."

"Major," said Jeekie, "I obey," and seizing the whisky bottle in a
casual manner, he poured out half a tumbler full, for Jeekie was fond of
whisky. Indeed before now this taste had brought him into conflict with
the local magistrates.

"Put back three parts of that," said Alan, and Jeekie did so. "Now," he
went on, "listen: this is the case, Miss Barbara and I are----" and he
hesitated.

"Oh! I know; like me and Mrs. Jeekie once," said Jeeki