ich meant a competence for the rest of
his years. And Craig or Mallow had seen him.

He looked at his watch; quarter after two. If they were not in their
rooms he would have good grounds for his suspicions. He stole along
the gallery and down the stairs to the office, just in time to see the
two enter, much the worse for drink. Mallow was boisterous, and Craig
was sullen. The former began to argue with the night manager, who
politely shook his head. Mallow grew insistent, but the night manager
refused to break the rules of the hotel. Warrington inferred that
Mallow was demanding liquor, and his inference was correct. He moved a
little closer, still hidden behind the potted palms.

"All right," cried Mallow. "We'll go back to town for it."

"I've had enough," declared Craig sullenly.

"Yah! A little sore, eh? Well, I can't pour it down your throat."

"Let's cut out booze and play a little hand or two."

"Fine!" Mallow slapped his thigh as he laughed. "Nice bird I'd be for
you to pluck. Think of something else. You can hit me on the head
when I'm not looking and take my money that way. What do you think I
am, anyhow? The billiard-hall is open."

Craig shook his head. When Mallow was argumentative it was no time to
play billiards.

"Bah!" snarled Mallow. "Since you won't drink like a man nor play
billiards, I'm for bed. And just as the fun was beginning!"

Craig nudged him warningly. Mallow stalked away, and Craig, realizing
that the night was done, followed.

Warrington had seen and heard enough. He was tolerably sure. It might
have been out of pure deviltry, so far as Mallow was concerned; but
Craig had joined in hope of definite profits. A fine pair of rogues!
Neither of them should be able to draw against the letter. He would
block that game the first thing in the morning. He would simply notify
the local banks and cable to Rangoon.

He eyed indecisively the stairs and then glanced toward the brilliant
night outside. It would not be possible to sleep in that room again.
So he tiptoed out to the cafe-veranda and dropped into a comfortable
chair. He would hunt them up some time during the day. He would ask
Mallow for fifty pounds, and he sincerely hoped that Mallow would
refuse him. For he was grimly resolved that Mallow should pay for
those half-truths, more damning than bald lies. It was due to Mallow
that he was never more to see or speak to Elsa. He emptied the ash
from hi