rummaged about for a moment or two in another, and found what seemed
to be a couple of charts in oilskin cases. All the time the wind was
shaking the windows, and a storm of rain was beating against the panes.

"Help yourself to whisky and soda, Jimmy," Sir Henry invited, as he
buttoned up his coat. "You'll need it all presently."

"I thank you kindly, sir," Jimmy replied. "I am thinking that we'll both
need a drink before we're through this night."

He helped himself to a whisky and soda on the generous principle of
half and half. Philippa, who was watching her husband's preparations
indignantly, once more found words.

"Henry, you are incorrigible!" she exclaimed. "Listen to me if you
please. I insist upon it."

Sir Henry turned a little impatiently towards her. "Philippa, I really
can't stop now," he protested. "But you must! You shall!" she cried.
"You shall hear this much from me, at any rate, before you go. What I
said the other day I repeat a thousandfold now."

Sir Henry glanced at Dumble and motioned his head towards the door. The
fisherman made an awkward exit.

"A thousandfold," Philippa repeated passionately. "You hear, Henry? I do
not consider myself any more your wife. If I am here when you return, it
will be simply because I find it convenient. Your conduct is disgraceful
and unmanly."

"My dear girl!" he remonstrated. "I may be back in twenty-four--possibly
twelve hours."

"It is a matter of indifference to me when you return," was the curt
reply. "I have finished."

The door was thrown open.

"Your oilskins, sir, and flask," Mills announced, hurrying in, a little
breathless. "You'll forgive my mentioning it, sir, but it scarcely seems
a fit night to leave home."

"Got to be done this once, Mills," his master replied, struggling into
his coat.

The young people from the billiard room suddenly streamed in. Nora, who
was still carrying her cue, gazed at her father in amazement.

"Why, where's Dad going?" she cried.

"It appears," Philippa explained sarcastically, "that a shoal of whiting
has arrived."

"Very uncertain fish, whiting," Sir Henry observed, "here to-day and
gone to-morrow."

"You won't find it too easy getting off to-night, sir," Harrison
remarked doubtfully.

"Jimmy will see to that," was the confident reply. "I expect we shall be
amongst them at daybreak. Good-by, everybody! Good-by, Philippa!"

His eyes sought his wife's in vain. She had turned towards Lessingham.