not
Simon's habit to speak till he was spoken to. And Hugo did not feel
inclined to ask questions; he preferred to reconnoitre in person. Yes,
he would descend instantly, and afterwards, when he had satisfied
himself that the evil had been repaired, he would consider about
Camilla.... By neglecting all else, he could reach her in time for
dinner.... Should he?... (At this point he plunged into his cold bath.)
... No! He was Hugo before he was Camilla's lover. He would be a
tradesman for yet another ten hours. He had a duty to London....

Then Ravengar wandered into his thoughts and confused them.

Just as he was assuming his waistcoat, Simon entered.

'Mr. Galpin, sir.'

'And who the d---l is Mr. Galpin?' asked Hugo.

'Mr. Galpin is the gentleman who saved your life yesterday, sir,' said
Simon with admirable sangfroid. 'He has called for a hundred pounds.'

'Show him in here immediately,' said Hugo.

Mr. Galpin appeared in the dressing-room, looking more than ever like an
extremely successful commercial traveller. Hugo could not think of any
introductory remark worthy of the occasion.

'I needn't say how grateful I am,' Hugo began.

'Certainly you needn't,' said Mr. Galpin. 'I understand. I've been under
lock and key myself.'

'I should offer you more than this paltry sum,' said Hugo, with a smile,
'but I know, of course, that a man like you can always obtain all the
money he really wants.'

Mr. Galpin smiled, too.

'However,' continued Hugo, detaching his watch from his waistcoat, 'I
will ask you to take something that you can't get elsewhere. This is the
thinnest watch in the world. Breguet, of the Rue de la Paix, Paris, made
it specially for me. It is exactly the same size as a five-shilling
piece. It repeats the quarters, shows the time in four cities, and does
practically everything except tell the weather and the political party
in power. It has one drawback. Only Breguet can clean it, and he will
charge you five guineas for the job, besides probably having you
arrested for unlawful possession. I must write to him. Such as it is,
accept it.'

The golden, jewelled toy was offered and received with a bow. The
practised hands of Mr. Galpin had opened the case in two seconds.

'How do you regulate it?' demanded Mr. Galpin, staring at the movement.

'You don't,' said Hugo proudly; 'it never needs it.'

Mr. Galpin stood corrected.

'If there's anything in my line I can do for you at any time, sir,'