| Jim and Wally] | [Page 225 |
CHAPTER XIV
A FAMILY MATTER
“To count the life of battle good,
And clear the land that gave you birth,
And dearer yet the brotherhood
That binds the brave of all the earth.”
Henry Newbolt.
JOHN O’NEILL was dressing for dinner: an operation which consisted in putting on a clean soft collar and brushing his hair, since the travellers’ possibilities of toilet were limited to one small kit-bag apiece. To him there came a discreet knock on the door; and Wally and Jim, suitably apologetic, appeared.
“You look like conspirators,” said Sir John, surveying the pair. “What’s the matter?”
“We’ve struck a job that’s a size too large for us,” Jim answered. “So we’ve come meekly to you.”