"You will convey my excuses to the Major; an unexpected visitor--I quite understand." He made a motion to retire.

At the same moment the Collector, after scanning the stranger from the Custom House porch, himself unseen, unlocked his door again without noise, re-entered his office and delicately drew down the blind of the little window overlooking the Major's garden.
"There is the parlour," Miss Marty made answer in an undertone.
"This gentleman may not detain the Major long." She turned to the stranger.

"Your business, sir, is doubtless private ?" "I should prefer." "Quite so." She raised her voice and called, "Scipio! Scipio! Ah, there you are! Take this gentleman's card out to the terrace and inform the Major that he desires an interview." "Why, hallo!" exclaimed the Major, glancing up at the sound of a blind being drawn above, in the Custom House window.

"What the deuce is delaying Pennefather ?" While he speculated, Scipio emerged from the house, bearing in one hand a decanter of brown sherry, and in the other a visitor's card.
"Eh--what?
M.

Cesar Dupin ?" The Major, holding the card almost at arm's length, conned it with a puzzled frown.
"From Guernsey, Major." "Good Lord! And I've just invited Pennefather!" The Major rose half-way from his chair with a face of dismay.
Scipio glanced up at the Custom House window.