Harry ran forward over the sand, and cried: “Hello, Jack, old sport! How are you?”
“First-rate. Welcome!” was the reply.
“Are you free?”
“Yes, but it has cost me a pretty penny. Did not you get my letter?”
“Certainly.”
“Why did you not come before?”
“I could not.”
“You would have saved me some expense.”
“Circumstances over which I had no control prevented me,” replied Harry.
“If I keep on getting captured, and paying ransom, I shall be ruined in time.”