THE following morning Corporal Bracknell was early astir, but early as he was there were others earlier, for the smell of frying moose-meat reached him before he was dressed. When he left his room he found Rayner awaiting him.
“You are early, Corporal,” was the greeting.
“Yes, I thought of going out as far as the place where we went together last night.”
“What! before breakfast? Surely there is no need for such haste, and remember there will be no daylight for at least a couple of hours yet.”
“That is so, but—”
An Indian servant appeared from somewhere in the rear of the house, bearing a silver coffee-pot on a tray. Rayner pointed to it with a smile.
“That settles the matter, I fancy. Breakfast is being served. You will not allow it to spoil, I am sure.”
“It is a convincing argument,” laughed the corporal. “I will breakfast first and attend to duty afterwards.”
Rayner nodded, and led the way into the room where they had dined on the previous night. Places were laid for four at the table, but neither Miss Gargrave nor her foster-sister had yet appeared.