Dominey disappeared for a moment and returned presently, having discarded some of his soaked shooting garments.

He was followed by his valet, bearing a note upon a silver tray.
"From the person in Mr.Parkins' room--to Mr.Seaman, sir," the man announced, in a low tone.
Dominey took it from the salver with a little nod.

Then he turned to where the youngest and most frivolous of his guests were in the act of rising from the tea table.
"A game of pills, Eddy," he proposed.

"They tell me that pool is one of your greatest accomplishments." "I'm pretty useful," the young man confessed, with a satisfied chuckle.
"Give you a black at snooker, what ?" Dominey took his arm and led him into the billiard-room.
"You will give me nothing, young fellow," he replied.

"Set them up, and I will show you how I made a living for two months at Johannesberg!".