PART III
CHAPTER I
THE VIRTUOUS HERO
"How long is this absurd farce to go on?" said Larpent.
"Aren't you enjoying yourself?" grinned Saltash.
Larpent looked sardonic.
Saltash took up the whisky decanter. "My worthy buccaneer, you don't know when you're lucky. If I had a reputation like yours—" He broke off, still grinning. "Well, it's no use crying over spilt milk, is it? Let's spill some whisky instead! Say when!"
Larpent watched him, frowning. "Thanks! That's enough. I should like an answer to my question if you've no objection. How long is this practical joke going to last?"
Saltash turned and looked upon him with a calculating eye. "I really don't know what's troubling you," he remarked. "You've got everything in your favour. I'd change places with you with all the pleasure in the world if circumstances permitted."
"That isn't the point, is it?" said Larpent.