The stall-keeper recommended the novel; he had read it himself; besides, it was having a sale.

Drake turned to the title-page and glanced at the author's name--Sidney Mallinson.

He flashed into enthusiasm.
'Selling, eh ?' 'Very well indeed.' 'Has it been published long ?' 'Less than three months.' 'I will take it, and everything else by the same author.' 'It is his first book.' The stall-keeper glanced at his enthusiastic customer, and saw a sunburnt face, eager as a boy's.
'Oh!' he said doubtfully, 'I don't know whether you will like it.

It's violently modern.

Perhaps this,' and he suggested with an outstretched forefinger a crimson volume explained by its ornamentation of a couple of assegais bound together with a necklace of teeth.