13
ISLES was standing at the french windows, looking over the sun-flooded lawn, when Guelvada turned the corner from the patio. He was wearing a tussore silk suit, a white, soft hat and brown and white suede shoes. Isles though he looked almost too well dressed to be true.
He turned and went back into the cool drawing-room. He began to mix himself a drink at the sideboard.
Guelvada stepped through the windows. He said: "Good morning, my friend. How do you find yourself after all your adventures? And how is Thelma this morning?"
Isles said: "She's all right. As you said, it was the merest flesh wound. So that's that. Except that the fact that she wasn't seriously hurt—or even killed—wasn't your fault."
Guelvada said: "Perhaps you will mix me a brandy and soda—with ice. Also, my delight
