Over the Top ! 35
girl was about to collapse. The owner of the studio was
bending over her. He looked at me over his shoulder
out of the corners of his eyes.
‘ “A case of indiscretion,’ he observed, with bitter
irony.
For the next quarter of an hour he fought for the
girl’s life. King Lamus was a very skilled physician,
though he had never studied medicine officially.
But I was not aware of what was going on. Cocaine
was singing in my veins. I cared for nothing. Lou
came over impulsively and flung herself across my
knees. She held the goblet of Benedictine to my
mouth, chanting ecstatically :-—
“Q Thou sparkling wine-cup of light, whose
foaming is the heart’s blood of the stars! I adore
Thee, Evoe! I adore Thee, I A O!”
We swooned into a deep, deep trance. Lamus
interrupted us.
“You mustn’t think me inhospitable,” he said.
“ She’s come round all right ; but I ought to drive her
home. Make yourselves at home while I’m away, or
let me take you where you want to go.”
Another interruption occurred. The bell rang.
Lamus sprang to the door. A tall old man was standing
on the steps.
“Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law,”
said Lamus.
“ Love is the law, love under will,” replied the other.
It was like a challenge and countersign.
“T’ve got to talk to you for an hour.”
“Of course, I’m at your service,” replied our host.
“The only thing is——’”’ He broke off.
My brain was extraordinarily clear. My self-
confidence was boundless. I felt inspired. I saw the
way out.
A little devil laughed in my heart: ‘“ What an
excellent scheme to be alone with Lou!”