The outside bird dipped down to me." Furley filled his guest's glass and then his own.
"What on earth have you kept your shooting kit on for ?" the latter asked, with lazy curiosity.
Furley glanced down at his incongruous attire and seemed for a moment ill at ease.
"I've got to go out presently," he announced.
Julian raised his eyebrows.
"Got to go out ?" he repeated.

"On a night like this?
Why, my dear fellow--" He paused abruptly.

He was a man of quick perceptions, and he realised his host's embarrassment.

Nevertheless, there was an awkward pause in the conversation.

Furley rose to his feet and frowned.