This was addressed to Franchetti, who speedily reappeared with a liqueur stand and an ebony cigar-case.
“Try these, George; they 're better than your own,” said Upton, dryly.
“That I will,” cried Harcourt, laughing; “I'm determined to draw all my resources from the country in occupation, especially as they are superior to what I can obtain from home. This same career of yours, Upton, strikes me as rather a good thing. You have all these things duty free?”
“Yes, we have that privilege,” said Upton, sighing.
“And the privilege of drawing some few thousand pounds per annum, paid messengers to and from England, secret-service money, and the rest of it, eh?”
Upton smiled, and sighed again.
“And what do you do for all that,—I mean, what are you expected to do?”
“Keep your party in when they are in; disconcert the enemy when your friends are out.”
“And is that always a safe game?” asked Harcourt, eagerly.
“Not when played by unskilful players, my dear George. They occasionally make sad work, and get bowled out themselves for their pains; but there's no great harm in that neither.”