Archie, I said, when we met, I want to ask a great
favour fromyou.
He put up an arm and drew her head to his. There
will still be two lost, she said, and the time growsfearfully short. Tell the
servants, please, and get the cook on to invalid dishes. I think youd better choose
an earlier date. I think youd better choose an earlier date.
Then I caught nothing for several minutes, tillhe
laughed and repeated the word secundus.
In that house wasthe terrible blind Fate that span.
I must have fallenheavily, for I knocked a leg off one of the little
tables.
That evening I went down to Fosse a little easier
in my mind. But it is a way which, thoughpossible in my own country, may be
difficult in yours. But I thought Colonel Arbuthnot was still abroad? It will be
perishing cold inthose parts at this time of year. I told Mary that I was ordered by
my doctor to go to bed for a weekand take a rest cure. Ithought I might as well do
the job thoroughly, though the wordsstuck in my throat. Dick, she said solemnly,
isnt it time you told me a little moreabout what youre doing?
I was finding my stand on that hearth-rug
extraordinarily trying. Then I have business in Paris and elsewhere.
Of course you could, I agreed, but youd miss him,
as I do, forhes jolly good company.
The door was opened, and the servant beckoned us to
enter.
What good is it to wipe outthe past and establish
my control if it is only temporary? Kharáma is in Europeand proposes to come to
England. I would rather see him than any living man. Newhover was starting this very
day for the Skarso.
Like falling from a real world into shadows,
hesaid.
WhenI got back to the Club I found a note signed
Spion Kop, and withan English postmark. Simply because I spent an hour with him and
Medina a few nightsago.
Dont go to Germany for a holiday, Dick; itsa sad
country and a comfortless.
Then, with arecollection of Sandys last letter, I
started out to blaspheme mygods.
I havelived in the East and know something of its
ways. Fire away, Dick,and give me an exact account of your own doings. The
satisfaction of having got one of the three conundrumsdead right made me want to
shout.
When I got back to the Club I found Medina waiting
for me. There was also a line from Macgillivray, saying that Dr.
Lord, what a fool I had been not to guess itbefore!