time) but for all my staid demeanor I have never been mistaken for any
kind of personage. I disillusioned Coutlass promptly.

"Then you are neither of you lords?"

"Pish! We're obviously ladies!" answered Fred.

"Then you have fooled me?" The Greek rose to his feet. "You have
deceived me? You have accepted my hospitality and confidence under
false pretense?"

I think there would have been a fight, for Fred was never the man to
accept brow-beating from chance-met strangers, and the Greek's fiery
eye was rolling in fine frenzy; but just at that moment Yerkes
strolled in, cheerful and brisk.

"Hullo, fellers! This is some thirsty burg. Do they sell soft drinks
in this joint?" he inquired.

"By Brooklyn Bridge!" exclaimed Coutlass. "An American! I, too, am an
American! Fellow-citizen, these men have treated me badly! They have
tricked me!"

"You must be dead easy!" said Yerkes genially. "If those two wanted to
live at the con game, they'd have to practise on the junior
kindergarten grades. They're the mildest men I know. I let that one
with the beard hold my shirt and pants when I go swimming! Tricked
you, have they? Say--have you got any money left?"

"Oh, have a drink!" laughed the Greek. "Have one on me! It's good to