★ 30 ★::A Gentleman of Leisure

Conclusion

The American St. Louis in the Empress Dock at Southampton, taking her passengers. All and of men in an up the gangway.

Leaning over the second-class railing, Jimmy Pitt and Spike Mullins them thoughtfully.

“Well, Spike,” said Jimmy, “your schooner’s on the now, isn’t it? Your vessel’s at the quay. You’ve got some queer-looking fellow-travellers. Don’t miss the two Cingalese and the man in the and breeches. I wonder if they’re airtight? Useful if he overboard.”

“Sure,” said Spike, a the in question. “He his business.”

“I wonder what those men on the are writing? They’ve been away since we came here. Probably journalists. We shall see in next week’s papers, ‘Among the second-class we noticed Mr. “Spike” Mullins looking as as ever.’ It’s a you’re so set on going, Spike. Why not your mind and stop?”

For a moment Spike looked wistful. Then his its woodenness. “Dere ain’t no use for me side, boss,” he said. “New York’s de spot. Youse don’t want none of me now you’re married. How’s Miss Molly, boss?”

“Splendid, Spike, thanks. We’re going over to France by to-night’s boat.

“It’s been a business,” said Jimmy, after a pause—“a business. Still, I’ve come very well out of it, at any rate. It to me that you’re the only one of us who doesn’t end happily, Spike. I’m married. McEachern’s into so that it would take an party with to him out of it. Molly—well, Molly’s a bargain, but I she won’t it. We’re all going some, you. You’re going out on the old again—which in Third Avenue and ends in Sing Sing. Why tear away, Spike?”

199

Spike his on a in a jersey, who was having his by the doctor, and to be it.

“Dere’s nuttin’ doin’ side, boss,” he said at length. “I want to busy.”

“Ulysses Mullins!” said Jimmy, looking at him curiously. “I know the feeling. There’s only one cure. I sketched it out for you once, but I if you’ll take it. You don’t think a of women, do you? You’re the bachelor.”

“Goils——!” Spike comprehensively, and the without on it further.

“Dose were great jools, boss,” said Spike thoughtfully.

“I you’re still over them, Spike.”

“We have got away dem, if you’d have for it—dead easy.”

“You are over them. Spike, I’ll tell you something which will you a little you start out on your wanderings. It’s in confidence, so keep it dark. That necklace was paste.”

“What’s dat?”

“Nothing but paste. I it directly you them to me. It wasn’t a hundred dollars.”

A light of came into Spike’s eyes. His with the of one to dark are clear.

“So dat’s why you wouldn’t for away it!” he exclaimed.

* * * * * * * *

The last had embarked. The was full to congestion.

“They’ll be sending us in a minute,” said Jimmy. “I’d be moving. Let me know how you’re on, Spike, from time to time. You know the address. And, I say, it’s just possible you may you want a or two every now and then—when you’re going to another aeroplane, for instance. Well, you know where to to for it, don’t you?”