Diary of a Drug Fiend

292 The Diary of a Drug Fiend consequences may be really most disastrous.” He broke off short, trembling with fear. He was not playing a part about this. He undoubtedly felt that it might be difficult to explain to an unsympathetic jury how a Trust Fund had lost its way to the extent of wandering into the Trustee’s private account without his suspecting it had behaved in so erratic a manner. “You are a man of the world, Sir Peter,’”’ he declared, almost blubbering, “‘ and I feel sure you understand.” I am not altogether a man of the world, as a matter of fact ; but, whether helped by the cocaine or not, I really did think I understood fairly well what had happened. ““ But why not go to the City?” I repeated, “ they ought to fight like wolves over such a plump little doe as the Schneezug!”’ “My dear Sir Peter!’”’ He raised his hands in ‘horrified surprise. ‘‘ Surely, surely you realise that it ‘may take years and years to educate the public to appreciate the difference between our Pure Cocaine, a wholesome household tonic, and the Impure Cocaine, which is a Deadly and Deleterious Habit-forming Drug! I felt I could approach you, because you are a man of the world, and a connoisseur, and—to be frank with you—because I took a liking for you the first time I saw you, so handsome and splendid with your beautiful young ‘bride! But what, oh what, would people say if it became known that Jabez Platt had the majority of the shares in a Cocaine Factory? My dear Sir Peter, we are in England, remember!” I wasn’t deceived by any of the nauseating humbug of the scoundrel, but it was evident that his proposal was a genuine good thing. The Schneezugchemischewerke had been paying well enough in the ordinary way when he bought them. I determined to sell the necessary securities and take over the shares. My state of mind was exceedingly complex. My reasons for the purchase were not merely various but mutually exclusive. For one thing, the