Killing a few snakes in a morning was no new experience to him.

He left the room the moment breakfast was finished and went to the study that his uncle had arranged for him.

Both Sir Nathaniel and Mr.Salton took it that he wanted to be by himself, so as to avoid any questioning or talk of the visit that he was to make that afternoon.

They saw nothing further of him till about half-an-hour before dinner-time.

Then he came quietly into the smoking- room, where Mr.Salton and Sir Nathaniel were sitting together, ready dressed.
"I suppose there is no use waiting.