"Which will be waste of labour, Colonel, for I shall put it in the fire unread; you have quite enough to do, to spend the money, without clerking."
His stern old face twitched, and he said huskily:
"God bless you, until your return, Monsieur Stefan."
Our interview had lasted longer than we had expected; and we had to hurry, to get back to the inn at the time appointed.
We found our guide to be, waiting, with a small shaggy horse, laden with our properties; he saluted as we hurried up.
"I have everything your Excellencies require," he said.
He would have proceeded to tell us how clever he had been in his bargaining, but we cut him short; and I went into the inn to settle our account. I sent a boy to find the host and then entered the dining-room to wait for him. I walked to the window and looked out, deep in thought.
"A deliberate cut," said a voice behind me.
I swung round.
"Carruthers? Well, I'm damned!"