Major Lyle laughed.
And Captain Fitzroy laughed.
Then they both rubbed their hands and looked pleased.
“I think,” said Fitzroy, “we have it all cut and dry.”
“There isn’t a doubt of it.”
“Well, then, we’ll order the lads’ dinner in—say in three hours’ time, and you and I will meanwhile have a stroll.”
In about three hours both Leonard and his friend Douglas Fitzroy returned to the inn, as hungry as Highland hunters, and were glad to see the table groaning with good things.
“We’ve had such a day of it, dad,” said Leonard; “though we had no idea of the distance when we started, but I’ve found some of the rarest ferns and mountain flora, and some of the rarest coleoptera in all creation. Haven’t we, Doug?”
“Yes, Leon. Your sister will be delighted.”
“Dear Eff!” said Leonard; “I wish she’d been with us.”