"Was I ever polite?" demanded the other scornfully.
"No! To do you justice, you are always consistently rude!"
"Then why expect the impossible?" retorted Horace, and again stumbled about the crowded room, swearing softly. When again abreast of Prelice, who was sorely puzzled by this strange conduct, the doctor thrust out a large hairy paw. "Shake," said he brusquely.
Prelice did so promptly, and inquired: "Why?"
"Because you are giving me pleasure in allowing me to help you."
His friend looked at the odd creature perplexedly. "I don't understand what you mean," he declared, frowning.
"Never mind," returned Horace, with a chuckle; "when it is necessary for you to understand I'll straighten out things."
"Then you have a theory?"
"I have more than that; I have certain knowledge."
"Of what, in Heaven's name?"