y voice that
thundered upon them from the upper regions of the house.

"Goodness!" whispered Esther, gazing at Roger with round eyes. "Who do
you suppose----"

"I say, whose bloody business is it to prowl about down there? Here,
show yourselves, damn you!"

It was a man's voice, at once sleepy and peevish.

"Who on earth is it?"

"I'll soon see."

Roger pushed the door wide and strode into the hall, Esther closely
following.

CHAPTER XIV

With one accord they peered up the dim well of the staircase. On the
floor above, leaning over the rail, one hand clutching an army
revolver, was a dishevelled young man, his hair tousled, his eyes
swollen with sleep. He was clad in orange-striped silk pyjamas open at
the neck, and even as he scowled darkly on the intruders below he
stifled a capacious yawn. Although his face was in shadow there seemed
something familiar about him. However, before anything had been said
on either side, the belligerence faded from the young man's manner, his
attitude altered, and he gave vent to a lazy chuckle, as with his free
hand he fastened the top button of his sleeping attire and smoothed
back his hair.

"Good God, I beg your pardon," he exclaimed. "I'd no idea; I thought
it was burglars."

In a flash Esther saw that it was Captain Holliday. Roger also
recognised him, and gave a nod, needlessly curt, Esther thought. After
all, there was no good being indignant with the man for using profanity
a moment ago when he could have had no knowledge that there was a woman
present.

"We didn't dream anybody was here," Esther explained quickly. "We came
to fetch something I left behind. I had a key, so we let ourselves in."

"Oh, I see! I woke up wondering who the hell was roaming about down
there. I knew it couldn't be Jacques; he's off for a couple of days.
I just roused up sufficiently to get my gun." He tossed the revolver
lightly into the air and caught it again. "I'm hanging out here
looking after things while Sartorius is away," he added, running his
fingers over his unshaven chin.

"Well, we won't interrupt your siesta any longer," Roger returned,
moving towards the front door and drawing Esther with him.

"Siesta! That's a good one. This is my first appearance to-day, old
man. I say, if you hold on a minute, I'll shake you up a side-car. I
feel inclined for one myself."

"No, thanks."

"No?" and the captain yawned again. "Then cheerio!"

The door sl