“Ah! As the colonel said just now, that settles the question. You’re a very witty fellow, Miles, very. I shouldn’t wonder, after a while, if you ain’t quite the sharp man of the regiment. Only your jokes are like the clown’s jokes at the circus—one gets to know them. They’re in this kind of way:
“‘Ever been in Paris, Mr. Lando?’
“‘Yes, of course, Bell.’
“‘Ever been in Vienna, Mr. Lando?’
“‘Ever been in Geneva, Mr. Lando?’
“‘Of course I have, Bell.’
“‘Ever been in jail, Mr. Lando?’
“Of course I have, Bell—at least—that’s to say—I mean—no, of course I haven’t.’
“‘Why, Mr. Lando, I saw you there.’