Uh-huh. Mike, alias Popover, who quit bein' a waiter to fight for his
country, and after he'd licked all the Turks in sight comes pikin' back
here to hunt around for his tray again. Say, all of 'em ain't such
scum, are they?"

It was a great old banquet too; for Skid insists that if they must have
a conquerin' hero to drink to Mr. Popokoulis is the only real thing in
sight. Mike wouldn't stand for a seat at the table, though; so they
compromised by havin' him act as head waiter. Skid tells the story
just the same, and makes him stand out where they can all see him.
There was some cheerin' done too. Mr. Robert was tellin' me about it
only this mornin'.

"And you've got him his old place at the club, eh?" says I.

"No," says he. "I've arranged to buy out a half interest in a
florist's shop for Mr. Popokoulis."

"Oh!" says I. "Backin' him for the Armina handicap, eh? It ought to
be a cinch. Some chap, that Popover, even if he was a waiter, eh?
It's tough on Piddie, though. This thing has tied all his ideas in
double bow-knots."




CHAPTER X

MERRY DODGES A DEAD HEAT