record. They lived in his chateau, or rather had, until he
had taken to firing the breakfast-dishes at her; then she
had cabled for help, and the old gentleman had gone over
to find out what were his Grace's terms. So they had left
Freddie all alone, and he with less than two thousand
dollars in his pocket. Freddie was up in arms and meant
serious business, as they would find in the end -- if there
was no other way of bringing them to terms he would
have his "Kittens" wire that she was about to marry him,
and see what happened then.

So the cheerful youngster rattled on, until he was tired
out. He smiled his sweetest smile at Jurgis, and then he
closed his eyes, sleepily. Then he opened them again, and
smiled once more, and finally closed them and forgot to
open them.

For several minutes Jurgis sat perfectly motionless,
watching him, and reveling in the strange sensations of
the champagne. Once he stirred, and the dog growled;
after that he sat almost holding his breath -- until after a
while the door of the room opened softly, and the butler
came in.

He walked toward Jurgis upon tiptoe, scowling at him;
and Jurgis rose up, and retreated, scowling back. So
until he was against the wall, and then the butler came
close, and pointed toward the door. "Get out of here!"
he whispered.

Jurgis hesitated, giving a glance at Freddie, who was
snoring softly. "If you do, you son of a--" hissed
the butler, "I'll mash in your face for you before you get
out of here!"

And Jurgis wavered but an instant more. He saw
"Admiral Dewey" coming up behind the man and growl~
ing softly, to back up his threats. Then he surrendered
and started toward the door.

They went out without a sound, and down the great
echoing staircase, and through the dark hall. At the
front door he paused, and the butler strode close to
him.

[[290]]

p289 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p290w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p291

v?