"Telephone!" His surprise showed on his face. "At this hour."
But the Colt was already speaking.
"Halloa! Is that the office? Oh, it's Mrs. Lethbridge speaking. My husband has suddenly arrived. He has a room here, so could you give us a double room, in exchange for our two singles? You can? Thank you."
She replaced the receiver and turned to the Man.
"There are a whole lot of things I don't understand," she said, demurely, "and it won't be any more expensive."
But the Man had her in his arms.
"My Colt!" he whispered, triumphantly. "My Colt!"
III — The House by the Headland
"You'll no get there, zurr. There'll be a rare storm this night. Best bide here, and be going to-morrow morning after 'tis over."
The warning of my late host, weather-wise through years of experience, rang through my brain as I reached the top of the headland, and, too late, I cursed myself for not having heeded his words. With a gasp I flung my pack down on the ground, and loosened my collar. Seven miles behind me lay the comfortable inn where I had lunched; eight miles in front the one where I proposed to dine. And midway between them was I, dripping with perspiration and panting for breath.