“I am doing a walking tour,” he said. “You might explain to her ladyship that I have nothing with me but bare necessaries in a small knapsack.”
The butler opened a door, switched on the light and stood aside that he might enter.
“You will find all you need here, sir. The door to the left leads into a bath-room. A gong will sound at eight. It is now half-past seven. If you should require anything more, will you be so good as to ring, sir?” He retired, closing the door softly behind him.
Luke looked around and laughed. He wondered what on earth he could find to ring for, which was not already there!
He walked over to the dressing-table, on which were silver-backed brushes, ivory razors, silver-topped bottles!
Laid out upon the bed was a complete suit of dress clothes.
If this was “Colin’s” room, he certainly did himself well! If these were “Colin’s” clothes, they certainly would not fit him!
Laughing again—he who never laughed—he turned to the bed, flung off his rough Norfolk jacket, and slipped on the smooth black coat with its silk lining. It fitted him perfectly; and he was fastidious about the cut of his clothes.
Should he?... Not he! He would never wear another man’s garments. He would never stand in another man’s shoes. If Lady Tintagel asked him to dine, she must have him as he was. If the lovely daughter looked askance at him, she must learn to understand that you don’t carry a dress suit in a knapsack.
But the bath? Yes, rather! That was quite another matter. His long sea swims had made him feel like a kipper.