"

"Never mind, old chap," said Daphne. "We'll soon be back again. I
shall go with you, of course. Ought we to start to-night?"

Considering that there was snow in London, that the visit would entail
almost continuous travelling for nearly thirty hours each way, and that
my sister cannot sleep in a train, it seemed as if Berry, at any rate,
was pulling out of the ruck.

"My sweet," replied my brother-in-law, "I won't hear of it. However,
we'll argue it out in private. Yes, I must start to-night."

"You must go?" said Jonah softly.

"Can't get out of it."

"Right." My cousin leaned out of the car. "I'll give you my
tobacconist's address. The best way will be to have the stuff decanted
and sewn in your coat."

There was a pregnant silence.

Then--

"Saved!" I cried exultantly. "Saved!"

"What d'you mean--'Saved'?" said Berry.

"Hush," said I, looking round. "Not an 'h' mute! This summons of
yours is a godsend. With a little ingenuity, you can bring enough
contraband in to last us till May."

* * * * *

If our efforts to induce my brother-in-law to see reason were
eventually successful, this was no more than we deserved. We made
light of the risk of detection, we explained how the stuff could be
concealed, we told him the demeanour to assume, we said we wished we
were going, we declared it was done every day, we indemnified him
against fines, we entreated, we flattered, we cajoled, we appealed to
him "as a sportsman," we said it was "only right," we looked
unutterable things, and at last, half an hour before it was time for
him to start for the station, he promised, with many misgivings and
expressions of self-reproach, to see what he could do. Instantly, from
being his suppliants, we became his governors; and the next twenty
minutes were employed in pouring into his ears the most explicit
directions regarding his purchase and disposal of our particular
fancies. Finally we made out a list....

He had absolutely refused to allow my sister to accompany him, but we
all went down to the station to see him off.

As we were pacing the platform--

"Have you got the list?" said Jonah.

The same question had been asked before--several times.

"Yes," said Berry, "I have. And if anybody asks me again, I shall
produce it and tear it into shreds before their eyes."

"Well, for Heaven's sake, don't lose it," said I, "because----"

"To hear you," said Berry, "anybody wo