of pigeon for a man of my type and talents to pluck—I have, so to speak, taken up my abode upon you.'
Charles looked at him and groaned.
The young man continued, in a tone of gentle badinage. 'I love the plot-interest of the game,' he said, ‘and so does dear Jessie here. We both of us adore it. As long as I find such good pickings upon you, I certainly am not going to turn away from so valuable a carcass, in order to batten myself, at considerable trouble, upon minor capitalists, out of whom it is difficult to extract a few hundreds. It may have puzzled you to guess why I fix upon you so persistently. Now you know, and understand. When a fluke finds a sheep that suits him, that fluke lives upon him. You are my host: I am your parasite. This coup has failed. But don’t flatter yourself for a moment it will be the last one.'
'Why do you insult me by telling me all this?' Sir Charles cried, writhing.
The Colonel waved his hand. It was small and white. 'Because I love the game,' he answered, with a relish; 'and also, because the more prepared you are beforehand, the greater credit and amusement is there in besting you. Well, now, ta-ta once more! I am wasting valuable time. I might be cheating somebody. I must be off at once. . . . Take care of yourself, Wentworth. But I know you will. You always do. Ten per cent is more usual!'
