reated as my friend. I believe at that time, if
it had come to the show down, you were the man who was closest to my
affections and whom I trusted most in all the world. I'm trying to speak
soberly, Braithwaite, without any color of exaggeration. We'd been in
many tight corners together--perhaps the tightest was when they tried to
execute us in Mexico. Anyway, we'd always played the game by each other.
In 1914 we both joined in the ranks; in 1918 you finished up as a
General, while I was a first lieutenant. There's only one way to account
for that: up to 1914 you'd never had your chance; when your chance came,
you proved yourself the better man. In a way, though it's difficult for
me to confess it, I can understand and sympathize with Terry's
preference. Women admire bravery and merit. Ann and I admired them in
you; we knew they were there before the war made them public."

He took a breath while he watched what effect the mention of Ann's name
had had. The General's expression from being interested and generous had
grown suddenly obstinate and set. Tabs hurried on. "So I can understand
Terry's preference. And yet, as you've owned, despite your advantages, I
hold the winning card. I can joker all your aces by telling--well, the
things to which you have referred." He leant forward across the table.
"I don't want to have to tell. To do that I should have to make myself
still more inferior to you than you have proved me to be in the hardest
of all tests. There's only one occasion that would compel----"

"And that?" the General enquired coldly.

Before Tabs could answer, a Major in the Guards who was passing had
halted. "Hullo, sir!" he exclaimed, addressing Braithwaite. "I was
intending to hunt you up. I've heard a rumor about your transferring to
the Regulars. Why don't you have a shot at my outfit?"

Braithwaite introduced Lord Taborley perfunctorily, then returned to his
friend's question. "A shot at your outfit! It's too expensive. I've got
to make money. Besides, to become a Regular I'd have to sink my rank and
live on my pay at that. I can't afford it. To tell the truth, I'm
already out of the Army. I handed over the keys of my desk at the War
Office this morning. That phase is ended."

"You did! Well, if you've got something better----" The Guardsman nodded
assent to a signaled question from a companion at another table. "Don't
lose touch with your old set, sir," he added cheerfully as he moved
away. "Send us th