— XXIII —MR. RODWAY DOUBTS
“Coming to, are you? Now then, what are you up to? Don’t do that.”
When Mr. Smithers returned to consciousness, the first thing he even dimly realised was that a constable was in front of him, kneeling on one knee, and that it was from him the words proceeded. It was several seconds before he realised anything else; as, for instance, that he was sitting up upon the grass; that his hat was off; that the fresh, damp air felt grateful about his throbbing brow; that it was still dark; and that he was feeling, both mentally and physically, very queer indeed.
“Better have gone straight back, as I told you.”
“I beg your pardon?” Mr. Smithers had not caught the allusion conveyed in the other’s words. Then it dawned upon him that this was the constable with whom – in
