But he is nearly fit again.' The butler expressed his sympathy with a complete absence of shyness or servility, then threw open a door at the end of the passage, announcing, 'Sir Henry Chicksands, sir.' '_D-mn_!' said a voice loudly within.
Sir Henry gave an involuntary start.

Another look passed between him and Forest, amused or interrogative on the visitor's part, non-committal on the butler's.
* * * * * The library of Mannering Hall as Sir Henry Chicksands entered it presented a curious spectacle.

It was a long, barn-like room, partly lined with books, and partly with glass cases, in which Greek vases, Tanagra figures, and other Greek and Etruscan antiquities, all carefully marked and labelled, were displayed.

A few large tables stood at intervals on the shabby carpet, also laden with books and specimens.

They conveyed an impression of dust and disorder, as though no housemaid had been allowed to touch them for weeks--with one exception.