Page:Lieut Gullivar Jones - His Vacation - Edwin Arnold (1905).djvu/277

 in my pocket, and nothing lovable about me save a partiality for meddling with other people's affairs.

This is how it might have been, but I spoiled a pretty fairy story and changed the whole course of Martian history by going back at that moment in search of a wrap for my prize. Right on top of the steps was a man with a lantern, and half a glance showed me it was the harbour master met with on my first landing.

"Good evening," he said suspiciously. "May I ask what you are doing on the quay at such an hour as this?"

"Doing?—oh, nothing in particular—just going out for a little fishing."

"And your companion the lady—is she too fond of fishing?"

I swore between my teeth, but could not prevent the fellow walking to the quay edge and casting his light full upon the figure of the girl below. I hate people who interfere with other people's business!

"Unless I am very much mistaken your fishing friend is the Hither woman brought here a few days ago as tribute to Ar-hap."

"Well," I answered, getting into a nice temper, for I had been very much harrassed of late, "put it at that. What would you do if it were so?"

"Call up my rain-drunk guards, and give you