‘I don’t have to put your housekeeper about.’ He slapped his pocket. ‘I’m loaded.’
‘Even after—what was it? — a fortnight in Paris? I congratulate you.’
‘Oh, well. I don’t think Paris is what it used to be. Or perhaps it was just that I missed Bill. Anyhow, I don’t need to fuss anyone making beds for me, thanks all the same. And if you’re going to be busy you don’t want me around. But you’ll not shut me out of this thing, will you? You’ll keep me “with you”, as Bill says. Said, I mean.’
‘I will indeed, Tad, I will indeed. I put a fly on a line in a hotel in Oban and fished you out of the white population of the world. I’m certainly not going to throw you back now.’
Tad grinned. ‘I suppose you know what you’re talking about. When are you going to see this Lloyd guy?’
‘This evening if he is at home. The worst of explorers is that if they are not exploring they are lecturing; so he may be anywhere between China and Peru. What startled you?’
‘How did you know I was startled?’
‘My dear Tad, your fresh and open countenance was never made for either poker or diplomacy.’
‘No, it was just that you chose two places that Bill always chose. He used to say that, “From China to Peru”.’
‘He did? He seems to have known his Johnson.’