CHAPTER V
I
O ne evening in the middle of March, as Dane lay smoking in his hammock immediately after his dinner, the dogs which were chained on the other side of the house set up a ferocious yelp, and almost simultaneously Lee stood in the nearest doorway.
“Mr. Benton coming in,” he said.
“All right. I’ll see him.”
Dane did not move as Roger came with his spurs clinking round to that side of the house.
“Hello!” he said as his visitor came to the steps.
“Hello, Barrington, are you sociable this evening?”
“Yes, really pleased to see you. Did they get away from the coast yesterday?”
“Yes, everybody has gone and you have it to yourself now.”
“Good. Sit down. Have you had dinner?”
“Yes, at Hill’s, as I came along. I’ve got to look in at the railway men’s meeting to-night, but there’s plenty of time.” Roger sat down where he could see his host’s face.
Lee came through the doorway with a tray and bottles and glasses.
“Wine or whisky, Meester Benton?” he asked.
“Whisky, thank you.”
“Meester Barrington, what for you?”
“Wine, please.”
The boy poured out the drinks, saw that the smoking apparatus was complete, and disappeared.
Roger Benton took out his pipe and filled it. “I’m
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