addressing me, "that wretch of an auctioneer has had a telegram from London to say you are not licensed, and he has just gone to acquaint the authorities." "In that case, you will excuse me leaving by the back door. I will see you at the station." Whether they sold the live stock and implements of husbandry over again I never heard, and since then I have discarded all belief in Peter Dodd's infallible system, and have not officiated a second time as an auctioneer. [Pg 20] [Pg 20] CHAPTER IV. THE TWO MYSTERIOUS DOMINOS. THE TWO MYSTERIOUS DOMINOS. Peter Dodd makes another proposal— Carnival time at Boulogne— The scene in the supper-room—"All's well that ends well." While I am about it I may as well relate to you another of the scrapes into which I was led by the volatile but good-natured Peter Dodd. It was not a question of making or losing money this journey, but the peace of two families which was threatened. When you learn the surprise that was so carefully planned for us, you will admit that most people similarly situated would have lost their heads and blundered. We were fortunate enough to understand the delicate position in a moment, and were consequently able to smooth down in a very short time the ruffled plumes of our two dominos. What promised at first to furnish matter for two cases in the Divorce Court, ended in a rather riotous supper. I know that I had to take a long walk on the Boulogne sands next day before I could get rid of a violent headache—the effects of too much sweet champagne. He does not mean it I am sure, but it is a strange thing that a fatality attaches itself to all the propositions of Peter Dodd. The jokes about the "infallible system" had all been let off, and my ears were no longer greeted with the "going, going, gone," of an auctioneer, when Peter came in with his tempting proposal to me. "Jack," he said, his eyes beaming with the anticipated pleasure, "I'm going to treat myself to a little holiday." "Well, Peter, you have my permission; take care of yourself. Remember you have given hostages to fortune," I replied. "It is too bad of you to be always reminding me that I am married, as if that fact is not ever patent to me; just as if a
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