"We've got a good many plans, sir," suggested Sloyd, very anxious to establish pleasant relations. "I'm sure we should be very glad if you found them of any service."
"You're very good, Mr Sloyd, but——"
"You may as well have a look at them," interrupted Harry. "There are one or two good ideas. You'll explain them, won't you, Sloyd?"
Sloyd had already placed one in Iver's hand, who glanced at it, took another, compared them, and after a minute's pause held both out to the Major.
"Well, Duplay, suppose you look at them and hear anything that Mr Sloyd is good enough to say, and report to me? You're at leisure?"
"Certainly," said Duplay. He was in good humor, better perhaps than if his chief had proved more signally successful. Harry turned to him, smiling.
"I saw Madame Zabriska last night, at Lady Tristram's house. She's forsaken you, Major?"
"Mina's very busy about something," smiled the Major.
"Yes, she generally is," said Harry, frowning a little. "If she tells you anything about me——"