to task about
it."

"Not a shadow of right," Desmond owned frankly, "Except that I care
immensely what comes to you, and to that plucky wife of yours who has
honoured me with her friendship; and whom I am hoping to welcome here--as
Mrs Lenox before many months are out."

The shot took affect. With a listless movement Lenox let his fingers
fall apart, and the pipe rolled on to the rug at his feet. Here Brutus
lazily investigated it as a possible treasure trove; and after a puzzled
sniff or two lifted inquiring ears to his master, who was looking
absently in another direction.

Then Desmond stooped, and picked it up.

"Will you let me empty it, and fill it from my own pouch?" he asked
quietly: and Lenox gave silent assent.

"No doubt I seem to you a contemptible brute enough," he added bitterly,
while the transfer of tobaccos was in progress. "And no doubt you're not
far wrong either. But if you could get inside my head for a few hours,
you might possibly understand."

"My dear Lenox, it is just because I understand that I'm keen to do what
little I can for you, even at the risk of being damned for officiousness!
If your head's giving you trouble, why not take a genuine dose of the
stuff last thing; and get a night of solid rest before you start work?
That seems to me safer than trifling with poison in the form of tobacco.
You know yourself you'd make a square stand against the naked drug. It's
the little 'nips,' the small capitulations, that do the damage in the
long-run."

He held out the pipe: and Lenox, clenching his teeth upon it, proceeded
to set it alight.

"Say what you please about things in future, Desmond."

He spoke without removing his eyes from the match he was manipulating.
"I swear I won't take it amiss again." Then he rose abruptly. "But I
must be off now. I only waited to see you, and--thank you before
leaving. You've the knack of putting fresh heart into a fellow when he
feels played out."

Desmond eyed the man thoughtfully for a second before replying. Every
line of him proclaimed utter weariness of soul and body.

"Anything ready for you over there?" said he.

"Not that I know of. But Zyarulla will shake things down in no time."

"All the same, as your luggage is handy, why not stop on here? You'd be
uncommonly welcome; and I know Honor would be glad to keep an eye on you
for a while longer."

The invitation, given on the spur of the moment, took Lenox aback.

"But, my