an
inanimate object, and somehow, groping, found his way to the door and
out to the entrance for a breath of air.

It was raining heavily and the odour of a thousand intangible things
hung in the atmosphere. For a space he leaned in the doorway
undisturbed; then, heralded by the smell of a rank cigar, Ralston
lounged up and joined him.

"Are you looking for a safe corner to catch fever in?" he inquired
phlegmatically, after a pause.

Tommy made a restless movement, but spoke no word.

Ralston smoked for a space in silence. From behind them there came the
rattle of billiard-balls and careless clatter of voices. Before them was
a pall-like darkness and the endless patter of rain.

Suddenly Ralston spoke. "Make no mistake!" he said. "There's a reason
for everything."

The words sounded irrelevant; they even had a sententious ring. Yet
Tommy turned towards him with an impulsive gesture of gratitude.

"Of course!" he said.

Ralston relapsed into a ruminating silence. A full minute elapsed before
he spoke again. Then: "You don't like taking advice I know," he said, in
his stolid, somewhat gruff fashion. "But if you're wise, you'll swallow
a stiff dose of quinine before you turn in. Good-night!"

He swung round on his heel and walked away. Tommy knew that he had gone
for his nightly game of chess with Major Burton and would not exchange
so much as another half-dozen words with any one during the rest of the
evening.

He himself remained for a while where he was, recovering his balance;
then at length donned his mackintosh, and tramped forth into the night.
Ralston was right. Doubtless there was a reason. He would stake his life
on Everard's honour whatever the odds.

In a quiet corner of the ante-room sat Everard Monck, deeply immersed in
a paper. Near him a group of bridge-players played an almost silent
game. Sir Reginald and his brother had followed the youngsters to the
billiard-room, the Colonel had accompanied them, but after a decent
interval he left the guests to themselves and returned to the ante-room.

He passed the bridge-players by and came to Monck. The latter glanced up
at his approach.

"Are you looking for me, sir?"

"If you can spare me a moment, I shall be glad," the Colonel said
formally.

Monck rose instantly. His dark face had a granite-like look as he
followed his superior officer from the room. The bridge-players watched
him with furtive attention, and resumed their game in silence.