If anything
should happen, it will be that you'll drag me up to where you are. I
shan't drag you down to my level, you old saint!"
And he laid his hand affectionately on his friend's shoulder.
Valentine smiled.
"Your level is not low," he said.
"No, perhaps; but, by Jove, it could be, though. If you hadn't been
chucked into the world, I often think the devil must have had me
altogether. You keep him off. How he must hate you, Val. Hulloh!
What's that?"
"What?"
"Who's that laughing outside? Has Wade got a friend in to-night?"
"Not that I know of. I didn't hear anything."
Valentine touched the electric bell, and his man appeared.
"Any one in with you to-night, Wade?" he asked.
The man looked surprised.
"No, sir; certainly not, sir."
"Oh! Don't sit up; we may be late to-night. And we don't want anything
more, except--yes, bring another couple of sodas."
"Yes, sir."
He brought them and vanished. A moment later they heard the front door
of the flat close. The butler was married and slept out of the house.
Valentine had no servant sleeping in the flat. He preferred to be alone
at night.
CHAPTER III
EPISODE OF THE FIRST SITTING
"Now, then," said Valentine, "let us be absurd and try this sitting.
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