"I'll tell you a story about them," said Dan, after he had taken a deep
swallow of the amber ale. "Few men can boast of steins like these.
Not many months ago there was a party of men and women, belonging to
the capital of a certain kingdom, who attended a dinner. It was one of
those times when exalted personages divest themselves of the dignity
and pomp of court and become free and informal. There were twenty of
these steins made especially for the occasion. By a circumstance, over
which I had no control, I was the only alien at this dinner. The
steins were souvenirs. How I came by two was due to the lady whom I
took down to dinner, and who presented hers to me after having--after
having--well, kissed the rim. Do you see the crest?" pointing to the
exquisite inlaid work.
"Why," I said eagerly, "it is the crest of----"
"Yes, a noted King," Dan completed. "And these were made by his
express command. But never mind," he broke off. "It's merely a part
of the story I am going to tell you when we get to my rooms. I am
always thinking of it, night and day, day and night. Talk to me, or
I'll be drinking again. This is the first time I've been sober in a
month. It's drink or morphine or something like. Do you ever see
anything of the old glee boys?"
"Once in a while. You know," said I, lighting a cigarette, "all the
fellows but you and I had money. Most of them are carrying on the
business of their paters and ornamenting dinner parties and cotillions."
"I thought that you had a rich uncle," said Dan.
"I did have, but he is no more," and I told him all about the bequest.
He laughed so long and heartily over it that I was glad for his sake
that it had happened. Already I was beginning to look wholly upon the
humorous side of the affair.
"It is almost too good not to be printed," he said. "But his son may
square matters when he dies."
"I do not want matters squared," I growled. "I can earn a living for a
few years to come. I shan't worry."
"By the way, is that Miss Landors whom you used to rave about in your
letters married yet?"
"No." Miss Landors was Phyllis only to her intimate friends. I called
the waiter and ordered him to replenish my stein, Dan watching me
curiously the while. "No, Miss Landors is not married yet."