ldering pipe.

I extended my hand to him warmly and he seemed surprised, but did
respond heartily enough in the end, with a faint smile of superior
knowledge which cut my thanks short as if with a knife. I don't think
that more than one word came out. And even for that one, judging by the
temperature of my face, I had blushed as if for a bad action. Assuming a
detached tone, I wondered how on earth he had managed to spot the little
underhand game that had been going on.

He murmured complacently that there were but few things done in the town
that he could not see the inside of. And as to this house, he had been
using it off and on for nearly ten years. Nothing that went on in it
could escape his great experience. It had been no trouble to him. No
trouble at all.

Then in his quiet, thick tone he wanted to know if I had complained
formally of the Steward's action.

I said that I hadn't--though, indeed, it was not for want of
opportunity. Captain Ellis had gone for me bald-headed in a most
ridiculous fashion for being out of the way when wanted.

"Funny old gentleman," interjected Captain Giles. "What did you say to
that?"

"I said simply that I came along the very moment I heard of his message.
Nothing more. I didn't want to hurt the Steward. I would scorn to harm
such an object. No. I made no complaint, but I believe he thinks I've
done so. Let him think. He's got a fright he won't forget in a hurry,
for Captain Ellis would kick him out into the middle of Asia. . . ."

"Wait a moment," said Captain Giles, leaving me suddenly. I sat down
feeling very tired, mostly in my head. Before I could start a train of
thought he stood again before me, murmuring the excuse that he had to go
and put the fellow's mind at ease.

I looked up with surprise. But in reality I was indifferent. He
explained that he had found the Steward lying face downward on the
horsehair sofa. He was all right now.

"He would not have died of fright," I said contemptuously.

"No. But he might have taken an overdose out of one of them little
bottles he keeps in his room," Captain Giles argued seriously. "The
confounded fool has tried to poison himself once--a few years ago."

"Really," I said without emotion. "He doesn't seem very fit to live,
anyhow."

"As to that, it may be said of a good many."

"Don't exaggerate like this!" I protested, laughing irritably. "But I
wonder what this part of the world would do if you were to leave off
look