CHAPTER XVII 

GUERILLA WARFARE 

Thus ended the opening engagement of the campaign, seemingly in a victory for the _Cosy Moments_ army. Billy Windsor, however, shook his head. 

"We've got mighty little out of it," he said. 

"The victory," said Psmith, "was not bloodless. Comrade Brady's ear, my hat--these are not slight casualties. On the other hand, surely we are one up? Surely we have gained ground? The elimination of Comrade Repetto from the scheme of things in itself is something. I know few men I would not rather meet in a lonely road than Comrade Repetto. He is one of Nature's sand-baggers. Probably the thing crept upon him slowly. He started, possibly, in a merely tentative way by slugging one of the family circle. His nurse, let us say, or his young brother. But, once started, he is unable to resist the craving. The thing grips him like dram-drinking. He sandbags now not because he really wants to, but because he cannot help himself. To me there is something consoling in the thought that Comrade Repetto will no longer be among those present." 

"What makes you think that?" 

"I should imagine that a benevolent Law will put him away in his little cell for at least a brief spell." 

"Not on your life," said Billy. "He'll prove an alibi." 

Psmith's eyeglass dropped out of his eye. He replaced it, and gazed, astonished, at Billy. 

"An alibi? When three keen-eyed men actually caught him at it?" 

"He can find thirty toughs to swear he was five miles away." 
How many toughs would swear differently?
"He can find thirty toughs to swear he was five miles away."