CHAPTER XXIV
The Colonel’s capacity for the holding of liquid substances looked abnormal even to a man of Paul’s experience.
‘Thirst is now assuaged,’ he said solemnly at the end of his third deep tumbler, ‘and a man may begin to enjoy himself. There ought to be a boy here who can make a cocktail.’
He kept the boy fairly busy, and he talked. He had recovered himself curiously, and there was now no more than a hint of coming intoxication in his eye and in his voice. It seemed as if he had arrived at a settled stage, and was able to make a longish stay there.
‘You’re pretty thick with our little friend, ain’t you?’ he asked, rolling round in his seat.
‘If you are speaking of the lady who left us a little while ago——’
‘Why, certainly,’ said the Colonel.
‘I have the honour of her friendship,’ said Paul with an icy air.
The Colonel was no longer smoking, but he chewed the end of his cigar with a lazy appetite, and he smiled.