* * * * *

THE NECROMANCERS.

The other day, while I was out for a ride, I happened to run up
against my two Chinese acquaintances, Ah Sin and Dam Li, and I stopped
to have a chat with them. After the usual greetings Dam Li remarked:--

"Hon'lable officer lookee too muchee sad."

"Allee same like littlee dog when 'nother big dog stealum bone,"
supplemented Ah Sin.

"I wasn't aware of it," I said shortly, a little hurt at the
comparison.

"P'haps hon'lable officer losee lations allee same little dog,"
suggested Dam Li.

"Well," I admitted, "I _have_ lost something--at least the Mess has.
Only it isn't rations; it's a milk-jug."

This, our only article of plate, was a battered piece of
treasure-trove salved from the ruins of a derelict village.

Dam Li was all sympathy.

"You talkee China boy. Him findum one time plenty quick," he announced
confidently.