Next his gaze turned to the triumphal arch in the road below, which wore a peculiarly dissipated look at this hour.

Then it strayed back to the garden below him and beyond the party hedge; and was suddenly arrested.
On a rustic seat, in the far corner, sat Captain Barker, trying to read in a book.
The little man, too, had obviously passed the night out of his bed.
His clothes were dishevelled and his attitude was one of extreme dejection.

He kept his head bowed over the book and was wholly unaware of the eyes that watched him from the opposite pavilion.
But his friend above on the balcony displayed the most nervous apprehension of being seen.

He took his hand from the rail, as if fearful of making the slightest sound, and stole back through the window into the lumber-room.

Once within the house, however, he behaved with the briskest determination.