"I have
prepared a warm bath and laid out your clothes for a change."
"Capital!" Sir Henry exclaimed. "It isn't a letter that's bothering
me, though, Mills. There are just a few geographical notes I want
to make. You know, I'm trying to improve the fishermen's chart of
the coast round here. That fellow Groocock--Jimmy Dumble's uncle
--very nearly lost his motor boat last week through trusting to the
old one."
"Just so, sir," Mills replied deferentially, placing the empty glass
upon his tray. "If you'll excuse me, sir, I must get back to the
dining room."
"Quite right," his master assented. "They won't be out just yet,
will they?"
"Her ladyship will probably be rising in about ten minutes, sir
--not before that."
Sir Henry nodded a little impatiently. Directly the door was closed
he rose to his feet, stood for a moment listening by the side of his
fishing cabinet, then opened the glass front and touched the spring.
With the aid of a little electric torch which he took from his
pocket, he studied particularly a certain portion of the giant chart,
made some measurements with a pencil, some notes in the margin, and
closed it up again with an air of satisfaction. Then he resumed his
seat, drew a folded slip of paper from his breast pocket, a chart
from another, turned up the lamp and began to write.
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