Page:Possession (Roche, February 1923).pdf/89

 "That'll no hurt me," said Newbigging, stretching. "I like sleepin' in the open."

"Just the same, I think you should have a drop of something to warm you."

"Weel—it micht be safer."

They went around to the side and quietly entered the dining room. From the cupboard beneath the stairs Derek got a bottle of Canadian Rye and poured Newbigging a glass.

"Your health and very good fortune, sir." He stood with one hand on the back of a chair while he drank, then carefully set the empty glass on the table.

"Mr. Vale," he said, with his bright, blue eyes on Derek's face, "if it wasn't for a few things—why—life wouldn't be worth livin'."