“How d’you do, Miss Halse,” said Inspector James, who entered at that moment, “I thought your father wouldn’t have left you behind. Well, Halse, I knew I’d be late, and I am. It’s precious hot, though. What’s the latest?”
“Latest? I came here to hear the latest,” answered Ben Halse, with a twinkle in his eyes.
“Oh, of course. If you didn’t know what was going on before we did I’d be—well, astonished.”
“No, there’s no indaba—none fresh, that is, and what there is you know as well as I do, James.”
“Oh, those brutes are hatching no more mischief than usual,” grumbled the latter, who was hot and tired. “How’s your friend Sapazani, Halse?”
“Same as before. I’m going to have another drink, James. You cut in—you, Mr Denham?”
“Don’t mind. That sweep’s not trustworthy,” answered James, meaning not Denham but Sapazani.
“Is any one on this earth?” returned Ben Halse, while Verna remarked sweetly—
“Sapazani is a great friend of ours, Mr James.”
Denham, the while, listened amused, but said nothing.