Dominey slept till late the following morning, and when he woke at last from a long, dreamless slumber, he was conscious of a curious quietness in the camp.

The doctor, who came in to see him, explained it immediately after his morning greeting.
"His Excellency," he announced, "has received important despatches from home.

He has gone to meet an envoy from Dar-es-Salaam.

He will be away for three days.

He desired that you would remain his guest until his return." "Very good of him," Dominey murmured.