Unceremoniously I slipped her arm through mine. Before this several other persons had put in an appearance. They, with one accord, were moving towards the dining-room. Among them were Oates and the stranger. But the wife hung back.
“Raymond, do you think you had better go down to dinner?”
“My good child, what do you mean? I’m starving!”
“But – are you sure you are quite well?”
“I’m well enough; but—” I glanced after the stranger. His back was turned to me. He was going through the doorway, with Oates at his side. “The fact is, I have had an adventure. It has a little upset me.”
“What sort of an adventure?”
“Rather a curious one. I will tell you about it afterwards.”
“Why not tell me about it now, Raymond? You make me feel concerned; you seem so strange.”
I was hesitating whether I
