It was quite dark when Peter entered the room again, hurried to Archie’s bedside, and then stopped short.
“Fast asleep,” he said to himself. “Ought I to wake him? Oughtn’t I to wake him? Chance it.—Mister Archie, sir! Asleep, sir?”
“What? Yes—no! Oh, it’s you, Pete!”
“Jump up, sir. You won’t hurt,” said the lad breathlessly. “It’s a beautiful, hot night. I’ve picked something up, and I’ve run up to tell you. Come to the window, sir, and look out.”
Archie sprang out and followed Peter to the open window, from which they had a full view of the landing-place, where lights were moving and their bearers could be seen hurrying to and fro.
“What boat’s that?”
“Resident’s, sir. I have come up to tell you.”
“Yes—be smart! Tell me what?”
“Sir Charles and his party have come back, sir.”
“From the up-river expedition?”