Our gallant pioneer, Jerry Wolfe, had speculated that perhaps some people could see them when having a fit of what we call the d.t.s--when they were saturated with alcohol, their vision was warped into the uncanny dimension-piercing angles which the musket blast had given me. Here was living proof of the theory. And here likewise was a fellow so permanently full of liquor (I swear the stuff ran in his veins) that he could see them _all the time_! CHAPTER XI "Where can we talk?" I asked him quietly, when I had got control of myself. "Why, 'ere, General." "No, no. A good safe place where we can talk privately and without interruption." "Ow! Old Mag's, o' course. None better. Your room or mine." "Mine," I said. "Let's go, old horse." We went, taking along a bottle of gin for medicinal purposes. I sat him down in the dilapidated rocking chair, in my bedroom and, staring into his brown face intently, said, "I've got a proposition for you, Arold. It's a whopper, too." "Big job?" he said. "You want me on a big job?" "Yes, you. You'll be my partner in it." "Me?" he repeated incredulously. "You're the one chap who can help me." The muddy eyes actually filled with tears; it was not a maudlin drunk's easy weeping, though, but the honest emotion of a humble workman who finds himself asked to assist a master. "You want me, Arold Smiff, to link up wiff you, a gent, a real gent, clarss, wot I mean a toff as ever was? Cor! I knowed I wasn't through yet," said he. "Just you lead on, General." "I was only a Captain," said I. "Then you didn't 'ave your deserts, I'll say. Wot's the gyme?" "The biggest." "Bank o' England?" he asked without much astonishment. "No, not theft. We don't have to steal anything in this game." He frowned. "'Old on, now, you mean I gotta knock somebody orf? Scrag 'em?" "Not you personally, Arold. You'll be too high in the game for that." "Ow, not that I objecks, mindjer," he hastened to assure me. "It just took me off guard, as you might say, you not lookin' lyke a basher." He grinned. "'Twouldn't be the first mug I've did in, General." "I'll wager on that," said I under my breath, and aloud, "I told you: you'll be too important in this affair to do any murdering yourself, Arold." I prodded him in the chest with a finger. "You'll give the orders," said I. He was deeply impressed by that. "Cripes!" he said. "Me?" "Yes. Now listen closely, and I'll explain the whole business. Think back. Remember that purple monster you saw leaving the pub?" "Not 'arf. Holy hell, not 'arf!" * * * * *