"I didn't strangle him, Roddy. It was the perilous moment: but I sat it out like a statue, and then I knew myself a match for this business. I didn't strangle him, even though he provoked me by adding, 'Yes, and now we're met, out here, you can be useful to me in a lot of little ways. Know French, don't you? Well, I don't, and we'll throw that in. . . . What I mean is, What d'ye say to our joining forces? I'm fed up with these Cook's men. They do their best, I don't deny. But this business of the lingo is a stiffer fence than I bargained for. Now, with a fellow-countryman to swap talk; _and_ a gentleman, and one that can patter to the waiters and at the railway stations--What do you say to it, Doctor? Shall we let bygones be bygones?' "I did not strangle him, Roddy, even for that. I sat pretty still for a while, pretending to consider. "'It's odd, Mr. Farrell,' said I after a bit, 'that you should invite me to be your companion. You'll always remember that you invited me?' "''Course I shall,' said he. 'Let's be sociable--that's my offer.' "I threw away my cigar. 'Provided you make no suggestion beyond it, I accept,' said I. 'We will take this trip together. Do you mean to stay long at Monte Carlo?' "'Pretty place,' said Farrell. 'Been up to La Turbie? No, of course; you've only just arrived. Well, I can recommend it-- funny little railway takes you up, and the view from the top is a knock-out. But I'm your man, wherever you'll do the personally-conducting. I'm not wedded to this place. Only came here because I understood it was fast, and I wanted to see.' "'Where's your hotel?' I asked. "'Grand Hotel, next door,' he answered. 'What' yours?' "'The same,' said I. 'We'll meet at _dejeuner_--same table. Twelve noon, if that suits.' "'I don't know if you're wedded to this place--' said he. "'Not one little bit,' I answered. "'Inside there, for instance?' "'You saw,' said I. 'I came out because I disliked the smell.' "'And there's that pigeon-shooting. Goes on all day. I hate taking life--even if I could--' "'You've once before,' said I, 'suspected me of being careless about the sufferings of animals; and you've, apologised. Shall we call it off? I don't shoot pigeons anyway.'