“I suppose everybody has heard it. My sprees seem to lack a decent cloistral quiet some way. Joe told me you had shut up the newspapers. When my head stops aching I’ll try to thank you in proper language.” “I’ll tell you how you can avoid getting drunk in the future if you are interested,” remarked Walsh. “If you mean burning down the distilleries I’d like you to know that I’m not in a mood for joking.” “Um. I was not going to advise you to commit arson. I have never offered you any advice before; I’m going to give you some now. You’ve got about all there is out of drink and you’d better get interested in something else. The only way to stop is to quit, and you can do it. I’ve a notion that you and I are going to be better acquainted in the future. Such being the idea I’d like to be sure that you are going to keep straight. You make me tired.” Wayne was not sure that he understood. No one, least of all his father’s grim, silent lieutenant, had ever spoken to him in just this tone, and he was surprised to find that Walsh’s method of attack interested him. He was humble before the old fellow in the linen coat. “What’s the use, Tom? I’m well headed for the bottom; better let me go on down.” “The top is less crowded and more comfortable than the bottom. Just as a matter of my own dignity I’d stay up as high as I could if I were you. I had a good chance to go down myself once, but I took a dip or two and it didn’t look good down below--too many bones. Um. That’s all of that.” He chewed an unlighted cigar ruminantly until Wayne spoke. “The Colonel’s going to get married.” “Um,” Walsh nodded. His emotions were always under control and Wayne did not know whether he had imparted fresh information or not. He imagined he had, for it was not likely that his father would make a confidant of Walsh in any social matter. “The Colonel knows his own business.” “As a matter of fact, does he?” “Um.” Walsh’s cigar pointed to a remote corner of the ceiling, but his eyes were fixed on Wayne. He had apparently no intention of discussing Colonel Craighill’s marriage and he abruptly changed the subject. “You bought fifty shares of Sand Creek stock the other day from the Moore estate.” Wayne scowled; these were the shares he had overdrawn his office account to buy, with the intention of turning them over to his father, and his father’s criticism of the overdraft rankled afresh. “Yes; I bought fifty shares. How did you find it out?” “Tried to buy ’em myself and found you had beat me to ’em.” “I overdrew my office account to buy them. I thought father would want them; but now he can’t have them.” “Why?” “Because in a fit of righteousness he jumped me for my overdraft. It was the first time I was ever over; you know that, and it would have squared itself in a few days anyhow. But if you want those shares----”