Chapter 47

Archie saw that it was all up. Shouting for Mrs. Lithgow, he helped his visitors to get out of their mackintoshes, and ordered his housekeeper to have these garments dried. Then he ushered them into the smoking-room where were Lamancha and Crossby and Benjie and a good peat-fire. Wattie, at the first sound of voices, had discreetly retired. "Come along, Colonel, I'll explain. Very glad to see you--have that chair . . . what about dry stockings? . . ." But his hospitable bustle was unheeded. The Colonel, hopelessly …