called yourself just now--to look after 'em." Larpent's voice was
eminently practical if somewhat devoid of sympathy. "Gutter-snipes are
damned quick to pick up--things they ought not," he observed dryly.

Saltash stirred uncomfortably in his chair as though something pricked
him. "Think I'm a contaminating influence?" he said.

Larpent shrugged his shoulders. "It's not for me to say. All diseases are
not catching--any more than they are incurable."

"Ho!" Saltash laughed suddenly and rather bitterly. "Are you
suggesting--a cure?"

Larpent turned his head back again and puffed a cloud of smoke upwards.
"There's a cure for most things," he observed.

"Can the Ethiopian change his skin?" gibed Saltash.

Larpent was silent for a space. Then: "A painful process no doubt!" he
said. "But more wonderful things have happened."

"Pshaw!" said Saltash.

Nevertheless when Larpent rose a little later and bade him good-night, he
reached up a couple of fingers in careless comradeship.

"Good-night, old fellow! Thanks for putting up with me! Sure you don't
want to kick me?"

"Not when you're kicking yourself," said Larpent with a grim hint of