mans at the residence of General Sadgrove, Alec was busy in his sitting-room, tearing up papers and preparing generally for his departure to Prior’s Tarrant on the morrow. It was past eight, and he had just lit the gas, when the door suddenly opened and Beaumanoir came in.
“Why, Charley—hang it! Duke, I mean—I thought you were in the country!” Alec exclaimed, more astonished by his friend’s actions than by his appearance there.
For, after slipping quietly in, Beaumanoir had turned sharp round and loosed the catch of the spring-lock. Not satisfied with that, he also shot home the two old-fashioned bolts with which the door was fitted, top and bottom, and then flung himself into an easy chair, mopping his brow with his handkerchief.
“I don’t think I was spotted, but it’s best to be on the safe side,” he muttered. Then aloud: “I came to ask you to give me a shakedown to-night, old chap, on a sofa or anything; only I don’t know if it’s fair to you; my proximity carries a pretty considerable risk. But I’ve been—rather worried, and I seem to want company.”
[76]
