These proved so engrossing that he failed to hear a step in the verandah, and started when two hands came quietly down upon his shoulders.
No need to ask whose they were. Desmond put up his own and caught them in a strong grip.
"Old times again, is it?" he asked, with a short satisfied laugh. "Brought your pipe along?"
"Yes."
"Good business. There's your chair,—it always seems yours to me still. Have a 'peg'?"
Paul shook his head, and drew his chair up to the fire with deliberate satisfaction.
"Light up, then; and we'll make a night of it as we used to do in the days before we learned wisdom, and paid for it in hard cash."
"Talking of hard cash—what price d'you get?" the other asked abruptly.
"Seven-fifty."
"Will that cover everything?"