ver
heard tell of. The Lord didn't give me all this bone and muscle for
the purpose of walking around trouble. Doesn't sound very dignified,
does it? A dock-walloper's idea; eh? Well, among other things, I've
been a dock-walloper, a beach-comber by force of circumstance, not
above settling arguments with fists, or boots, or staves. No false
modesty for me. I confess I've been mauled some, but I've never been
whipped in a man to man fight. It was generally a scrap for the
survival of the fittest. But I am going into this affair . . . Well,
perhaps it wouldn't interest you to know why. There are two sides to
every Waterloo; and I am going to chase Mallow into Paris, so to speak.
Oh, he and I shall take away pleasant recollections of each other. And
who's to care?" with a careless air that deceived the other.

"I don't believe that Mallow will fight square at a pinch."

"I shan't give him time to fight otherwise."

"I ought not to want to see you at it, but, hang it, I do!"

"Human nature. It's a pleasurable sensation to back up right by might.
Four years ago I vowed that some day I'd meet him on equal terms.
There's a raft of things on the slate, for he has been unspeakable
kinds of a rascal; beating harmless coolies . . . and women. I may not
see you again. If the letter of credit turns up, you know what to do
with it. I'm keen to get started. Good-by, and thank you."

A hand-clasp, and he was gone.

"I wish," thought the consul-general, "I could have told him about the
way the scoundrel spoke of Elsa."

And Warrington, as he sought the cafe-veranda, wished he could have
told the basic truth of his fighting mood: the look Mallow had given
Elsa that day in Penang. Diligently he began the search. Mallow and
Craig were still in their rooms, doubtless sleeping off the debauch of
the preceding night. He saw that he must wait. Luncheon he had in
town.

At four o'clock his inquiries led him into the billiard-annex. His
throat tightened a little as he discovered the two men engaged in a
game of American billiards. He approached the table quietly. Their
interest in the game was deep, possibly due to the wager laid upon the
result; so they did not observe him. He let Mallow finish his run.
Liquor had no effect upon the man's nerves, evidently, for his eyes and
stroke were excellent. A miscue brought an oath from his lips, and he
banged his cue upon the floor.

"Rotten luck," said Warrington symp