"
Sir Henry listened for a moment. The French windows shook, the rain
beat against the panes, and a dull booming of wind was clearly
audible from outside.
"We timed that excellently," he agreed. "Come up and have a chat
to-morrow, Jimmy, if your wife will spare you."
"I'll be round before eleven, sir," the fisherman promised, with a
grin.
Sir Henry waited for the closing of the door. Then he leaned forward
for several moments. He had scarcely the appearance of a man returned
from a week or two of open-air life and indulgence in the sport he
loved best. The healthy tan of his complexion was lessened rather
than increased. There were black lines under his eyes which seemed
to speak of sleepless nights, and a beard of several days' growth
was upon his chin. He drank the cocktail which Mills presently
brought him, at a gulp, and watched with satisfaction while the mixer
was vigorously shaken and a second one poured out.
"We've had a rough time, Mills," he observed, as he set down the
glass. "Until this morning it scarcely left off blowing."
"I'm sorry to hear it, sir," was the respectful reply. "If I may
be allowed to say so, sir, you're looking tired."
"I am tired," Sir Henry admitted. "I think, if I tried, I could go
to sleep now for twenty-four hours."
"You will pardon my reminding you, so far as regards your letters,
that there is no post out tonight, sir," Mills proceeded.
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