The fat man grew redder than ever; he seemed upon the point of
exploding; his whole body shook and quivered as if a head of steam
were steadily gathering inside him.

"You can't get out of it that way," he cried at the top of his
little voice. "I've fed you for a week. I put you up at my club.
That very suit of clothes you have on is mine."

"Well, don't burst a seam over the matter. My Governor doesn't
know the facts. I'll cable him myself this time."

"And live off me for another week, I suppose? Not if I know it! He
says he has no son; isn't that enough?"

"He doesn't understand."

"And how about those gambling debts?" chattered the mountain of
flesh. "You thought you'd fool me for a week, while you won enough
money from my friends to get away. Now I'LL have to pay them. Oh,
I'll fix you!"

"You go slow about having me pinched," Kirk said, darkly, "or I'll
make you jump through a hoop. I'll pay my debts."

"You're a rich man, eh? Money doesn't mean much to you, hey?"
mocked the infuriated Consul. "I suppose this is an old game of
yours. Well, you stuck me all right, because you knew I couldn't
have you arrested--I'd be a laughing-stock forever. But I've had
your card cancelled, and I've left word for the waiters to throw