“Your business, sir,” he began, in a husky voice. “I must tell you that I am fatigued. I had hoped to go to bed in peace.”
He paused, leaning back, and surveyed Flemington with injured distaste.
“There is no reason that you should not,” replied Archie boldly. “I have had a devilish hard day myself. Give me a corner to lie in to-night, and I will give you the details of my report quickly.”
He saw that he would meet with no opposition from Hall, whose one idea was to spare himself effort, and that his own quarters on board the Venture were sure. No doubt long practice had enabled the man to look less muddled than he felt. He sat down opposite to him.
The other put out his hand, as though to ward him off.
“I have no leisure for business to-night,” he said. “This is not the time for it.”
“All the same, I have orders from Perth to report myself to you, as I have told you already,” said Archie. “If you will listen, I will try to make myself clear without troubling you to read anything. I have information to give which you should hear at once.”
“I tell you that I cannot attend to you,” said Hall.
“I shall not keep you long. You do not realize that it is important, sir.”