ce--"I wish I hadn't got to
do it ... and at ten o'clock at night into the bargain!"

He looked round him as though considering some serious matter.

"Food--and drink. Here's drink, anyhow. What about food?"

Seizing a hand-lamp from the bureau at his elbow, he quitted the room
and made for the kitchen, which his man had left, as usual, in the
perfection of neatness on his departure two hours ago.

Hastening to the cupboard which did duty, in the flat, for a pantry,
Barry flung open the door and surveyed the shelves with anxious eyes.

Ah! There was plenty of food, of a sort, and suddenly Barry remembered,
with gratitude, the fact that he had intended to dine at home, and had
been prevented doing so at the eleventh hour owing to an unexpected
invitation which he had then regarded as an unmitigated bore, but now
looked upon as a direct interposition of Providence.

A cold roast chicken, an apple tart and cream, cheese and
biscuits--surely the traveller could make a meal off these provisions,
and Barry carried them gaily into the sitting-room and laid the table
with much good-will and no little celerity.

Knives, forks, glasses--for he intended to share the meal--salt, pepper,
bread--in a dozen light-hearted journeys he managed to bring everything
he considered necessary; and he was just standing back to admire his own
handiwork when the electric bell pealed loudly through the silent flat.

"Here he is, by Jove!" Barry all but dropped the vase of chrysanthemums
he was carrying to the table, and setting it down hastily he went to the
door, in a flutter of anticipation, of hospitality, and, if the truth be
told, of nervousness.

Opening the door:

"Is that you, Owen?" he asked--a superfluous question, for he knew his
visitor well enough. "Come in, old chap--you must be soaked--it's a
frightful night!"

"Soaked--I should just say I am!" Owen Rose accepted the invitation and
stepped inside, shaking himself like a dog as he did so. "Lord, Barry,
what a climate! I declare I'd sooner live in Timbuctoo!"

"Oh, the climate's all right--only a bit moist," returned Barry
philosophically. "But come on in--take off your coat and come to the
fire. Any luggage?"

"No, I've sent it on to my place." He drew himself out of his big coat
as he spoke. "I thought I'd come up and see you for half an hour first
of all. Jolly glad you're at home. You got my wire?"

"Yes, a few minutes ago. Come and have something to eat." They wer