"Up to the hilt," said I cheerfully. "We had it all re-valued only this year, because of the rise in silver."
"Splendid!"—enthusiastically. "But I'm neglecting you." With his left hand the rogue picked up an ash-tray and stepped to my side. Then he backed to the mantelpiece, whence he picked up and brought me a handful of cigarettes, laying them on the broad arm of my chair. "I'm afraid the box has gone," he said regretfully. "May I mix you a drink?"
I shook my head.
"I've had my ration. If I'd known, I'd have saved some. You see, I don't sit up so late, as a rule."
He shrugged his shoulders.
As he did so, my own last words rang familiarly in my ears: "I don't sit up so late" ... "Don't sit up." ...
Jonah! He and Harry were due to arrive any moment!
Hope leaped up within me, and my heart began to beat violently. I glanced at the silver, still lying upon the rugs. Slowly it was diminishing, and the services of a second suit-case would soon be necessary. I calculated that to complete the bestowal would take the best part of an hour, and began to speculate upon the course events would take when the travellers appeared. I began to pray fervently that Harry would be unable to get in at the Club....
"Now, then, you three," said a reproving voice. "I'm surprised at you."
Daphne!