He read two more chapters, smoking a pipe, and then he became aware that he was thirsty.
He could have mixed himself a whisky and soda then and there, for he had both in the cupboard, in his sitting-room.

But he was a stickler for the proprieties: he had drunk red wine, Burgundy with his dinner and port after it, and after red wine brandy is the proper spirit.

There would be brandy in the tantalus in the small dining-room.
He went quietly down the stairs.

The big hall, lighted by a single electric bulb, was very dim, and he took it that, as was their habit, the servants had already gone to bed.

As he came to the bottom of the stairs the door at the back of the hall opened; James Hutchings came through the doorway and shut the door quietly behind him.
Mr.Manley stood still.