My shirt is full of holes, and it is quite likely I shall have to stand all the evening for fear of splitting the knees of my breeches.

Come--out with it"-- he laughed--"there is something you have to tell me or you would not be waiting for me here at this hour in the cold hall." Pawson smiled faintly, then his eyebrows lost their identity in some well-defined wrinkles in his forehead.
"I have, sir, a most unpleasant thing to tell you--a very unpleasant thing.

When I tried this morning for a few days' grace on that last overdue payment, the agent informed me, to my great surprise, that Mr.
John Gorsuch had bought the mortgage and would thereafter collect the interest in person.

I am not sure, of course, but I am afraid Colonel Rutter is behind the purchase.

If he is we must be prepared to face the worst should he still feel toward you as he did when you and he"-- and he jerked his thumb meaningly in the direction of the dining-room--"had it out--in there." St.George compressed his lips.