He will be able to catch the Durrington train at Cottenden, and get back to his hotel in time for dinner.

Would you mind, Sir Henry ?" "Not in the least," replied Sir Henry politely.
"Then I think I might stay a little longer," said the chief constable.
"What's the road like to Heathfield, Galloway?
You know something about this part of the country." "Very bad," replied the superintendent uncompromisingly, who had his own reasons for wanting to get rid of his superior officer and the detective.
"It will be all right in daylight, and I'll risk it coming back," said the detective cheerfully.
He spoke with the resolute air of one used to making prompt decisions, and Mr.Cromering yielded with the feeble smile of a man who was rather glad to be released of the task of making up his own mind.

The entrance of the innkeeper with refreshments put an end to the discussion.

He thrust upon the police officials present the responsibility of breaking the licensed hours in which liquor might be drunk in war time by serving them with sherry, old brandy, and biscuits.
The chief constable made himself a party to this breach of the law by helping himself to a glass of sherry.

The wine was excellent and dry, and he poured himself out another.