The bird had climbed to Gethryn's shoulder and was cocking his eye fondly at Clifford. They were dear friends. Once he had walked up Clifford's arm and had grabbed him by the ear, for which Clifford, more in sorrow than in anger, soaked him in cold water. Since that, their mutual understanding had been perfect.

``Where are you going to, you old fiend?'' said Clifford, tickling the parrot's throat.

``Hell!'' shrieked the bird.

``Good Heavens! I never taught him that,'' said Gethryn.

Clifford smiled, without committing himself.

``But where were you, Rex?'' asked Elliott.

Rex flushed. ``Hullo,'' cried Clifford, ``here's Reginald blushing. If I didn't know him better I'd swear there's a woman in it.'' The dark figure at the end of the room rose and walked swiftly over, and Rex saw that it w. . . Read More