The Gay Adventure

moking. His face, which was passably attractive, had temporarily lost its usual good-humor, and he puffed his cigarette slowly as if it was more of a task than a p

air share of sensations. He had been jilted, married (luckily it proved a bigamous union; as his "wife," a Covent Garden chorister, had nothing but her prettiness to recommend her; and Tony had been immensely relieved when her husband reappeared after serving seven years at Portland), made a descent in a submari

been to enlist, but the discipline and routine of the barracks made even ennui seem desirable, and he bought himself out after twenty-four hours of agony. This evening he was feeling distinctly dull, for the day had been singularly profitless. A solitary breakfast at eleven had been fo

ashion, but at ten-thirty he found himself on the steps,

y of six million people, and not a t

even though it be but the policeman directing the traffic; and Tony soon found his languor past and good-humor returning. He liked being among a crowd of people, watching, speculating, enjoying. The Strand was one of his favorite haunts, e

that it was past eleven. "Early yet," he reflected; "what's the use of going home? Shall I try the club or a lo

times glancing at the river and ostentatiously avoiding the eyes of chance policemen. Presently he stopped, leaned both his elbows on the parapet, and stared gloomily at the Thames. His maneuvers were crowned with success, for a constable soon approached and told him in a kindly tone to move on. Tony replied in a sepulchral voice, and in a few moments was deep in conversation with his preserver. A fictitious tale of cards a

without being questioned. If I return at six o'clock in the morning, Pettigrew will admit me without a murmur and ask if I want breakfast. Now, if I had a wife, it is possible that she would take no interest in my midnight ramble.-No! she would take too much interest and fear the worst.... Well, where shall I go

n plays to the b

my tears on a sound

ealers flicke

t's try

here he paused to enjoy the freshness of the morning and the quiet of the streets. "Gad!" he thought, "what a shame to lie in bed till ten o'clock. Why haven't I tried this jape sooner? This is the sort of time when one thinks of the country and hates London. If only there was a train here I'd go away for a day or two

five-seven, and asked whither he meant to travel. "Oh, give me a ticket that costs five shillings," said Ton

he laid his hand on the door of a first-class compartment it occurred to him to look at the ticke

. Is there any chance of my having

ny glanced at him with a languid curiosity. The newcomer was dressed in a correct morning suit and silk hat. He also carried gloves and a stick. But though he looked like a gentleman and carried himself with an air, Tony's eye detected signs of poverty. The coat was shiny, a

ut and join the stranger on the off chance of learning something new, when the whistle went. But before the train had begun to move, a face appeared at the opposite window. A man was climbing up the footboard from the line. The next moment the door was ope

u usually enter a train on the off sid

ions. He did not look like a criminal; indeed he

. I am going on a holiday. May I in return ask you i

smi

am going on

g?" asked th

n't k

don't

hilling ticket and the first train. I

Tony's astonishment. "Most of us are so bound by convention that w

hy

her he

night, to be candid-I resolved to burst my shackles for a time. Certain ... events ... hastened my decision. I am going to Shereling.

mpanies are very unimaginative. If there were, I'd buy a decent suit

can't do that. It's all righ

: he looked a decent little chap-almost jolly ... rather like a schoolboy off for a holiday, expecting some excellent pleasure and glorying in the prospect. Also, he was mysterious and secretive, though to outward appearance he was a prosperous

e wide asunder, as also were their experiences. It was the elder man who asked most of the questions, the younger who was responsible for the answers. But they found a bond of union in a Pepysian interest in the novel

l together for a while." Tony's heart leaped. "You are an intere

er. But he resolved that ere the journey came to an end he would land his fish and spend a few days in his company. He d

ain pu

This train is billed as a non-st

the window and be

e matter?"

e are ten or fifteen thousand men on strike here just

ffectually filling the window,-"what

ut of 'and. I don't know the rights of it-they do say they're underpaid, though

ailway, ma

ard co

nd 'ave been making a night of it, so to speak. They've sent for the soldiers, but they 'aven't arrived yet. And they

hear

p. "Let's go and have a look.

dvised the guard. "T

simple grandeur. He turned to his compan

he breathed quickly. He hesitated a

Dash it! I-I feel as if I

opened the door.

dn't warn you. Anyhow, I'd advise you to le

"Here, guard, seven pounds three ... and a watch. If I perish, you may

ening dress. Then he turned to t

was the confused reply. "C

ut he hasn't tried to tou