Page:C Q, or, In the Wireless House (Train, 1912).djvu/106

 attendant. “You knocked yourself out for fair.”

He poured out a strong quarter tumbler and held it to Cloud’s lips.

“Now just hang on to me, if you can,” wheedled Micky, “and we ’ll soon have you where you belong.”

He put his arms under Cloud's shoulders and lifted him, after an effort, to his feet. Then he guided the still half unconscious man into his state-room and tumbled him into his bunk.

“I must have given myself a nasty crack!” whispered Cloud. “My head feels as if I ’d been chucked at a water jump and landed head on—in a pile of stones.”

“It was almost as bad as that,” said Micky, as he closed the door and loosened Cloud’s collar and cravat. “Now I ’m going to undress you as well as I can, and after you ’ve had another nip of brandy I ’m going to leave you until morning.”

He fussed over Cloud as lovingly as a young mother over her babe, and the other, still confused from the blow of the stanchion, suffered himself to be made ready for the night.

“Now!” exclaimed Micky as, after having