"Yes, in a couple of minutes. You might order tea, too."
[CHAPTER XIX]
GEOFFREY LEAVES VAIL
Geoffrey went slowly downstairs, reciting to himself exactly all he knew. One point was salient: Mr. Francis had certainly seen the broken sluice. And he entered the hall.
Mr. Francis had taken off his waterproof, and was sitting comfortably in a chair. He looked up with his cheery smile when Geoffrey came in.
"Ah! my dear boy," he said, "you were quite right not to come out. The weather was odious; I have never seen such rain. But one feels better, after all, for a breath of air."
"I preferred the house," said Geoffrey. "Was the water in the lake very high?"
"Yes, it was a good deal swollen. In fact, it has carried away a considerable portion of the sluice. It must be seen to."