“To think—so unusual, you know, for you.”
“Oh how clever you are! But how aren’t you keeping an eye on Brother Jim’s future wife, according to instructions? I saw her this evening flirting as usual with the Commissioner Sahib. You are not doing your duty. Captain Russell ’ud be angry if he knew.”
“Come along, Russell; what’s the use of talking to that cad?” whispered Paterson. “Contemptible toad!”
But his friend’s ire had been aroused by the last remark. He halted and faced Tynan.
“What d’you mean?” he demanded.
Tynan slowly drew a huge cheerot from his lips and attempted to blow rings of smoke before replying.
“You know well enough. Stunnin’ little flirt is Ethel—deuced stunnin’! Shouldn’t be surprised if she threw Brother Jim over!”
“What do you mean?” repeated Ted with still greater heat.
“Don’t be an ass, Ted. Leave the cad alone,” Paterson again whispered.
Tynan was Russell’s senior by nearly a couple of years, and he stood a clear three inches taller. Ted’s anger amused him.