"Dreffly sorry."

They stood in silence among the shadows, with only the red candles
burning. Then Derry said, heartily, "You are the best friend that a
fellow ever had, Drusilla."

And that was as far as he would play the game!




CHAPTER IV

THE QUESTION

Whatever else might be said of General Drake, his Bacchanalian
adventures were those of a gentleman. Not for him were the sinister
streets and the sordid taverns of the town. When his wild moods came
upon him, he struck out straight for open country. Up hill and down
dale he trudged, a knight of the road, finding shelter and refreshment
at wayside inns, or perchance at some friendly farm.

The danger lay in the lawless folk whom he might meet on the way.
Unshaven and unshorn he met them, travelling endlessly along the
railroad tracks, by highways, through woodland paths. They slept by
day and journeyed by night. By reversing this program, the General as
a rule avoided them. But not always, and when the little lad Derry had
followed his strange quests, he had come now and then upon his father,
telling stories to an unsavory circle, lord for the moment of them all.