But La Planta made no reply. Instead, he shrugged his shoulders, then tossed his cigarette into the water with a gesture of contempt.
CHAPTER XVII.
“NOBODY MUST KNOW!”
Preston’s servant, an ex-soldier who had served under him in France, returned to the houseboat, but neither Preston nor Yootha had arrived.
The man looked about him, puzzled. Then, concluding that his master must have been detained by friends on his way back, he began to attend to his work.
But when an hour had passed, and still Preston did not return, he went outside and scanned the river with his master’s field-glasses. It was past seven, and he had dinner nearly ready. It would be annoying if his master stayed away for dinner without giving him warning.
Presently a boat stopped alongside, and its sole occupant got out and came aboard.
“Captain Preston about?” he inquired breezily. “I am dining with him.”
“Dining with him, sir?”
“Yes. Hasn’t he told you?”