trips, they will make excellent bandages, while for a
splint--"

"The cove," I said, "is ideal. Its sand is a field of lilies, its sea
perfumed, its boulders sweet-smelling cushions."

"Of course," said Berry. "Why do you tarry? Forward, friends all!
This way to the drug department. To the lions, O Christians! For
myself, if I start at once, I shall be able to get back with the
coastguard's ambulance before you've been lying there more than an hour
or two, and I can wire for your relatives at the same time."

"Anybody would think the place was an oubliette," said I. "As a matter
of fact, the path down is an easy one, there are no flints, and there
is a singular paucity of seaweed of any description. On the other
hand, the sun is hot, the sand is soft, and I have already selected
that rock, in the seclusion of whose shade I shall prepare myself for
the waves. Sorry it's too dangerous for you. I'll write about some
bathing-machines to-night. Do you like them with red or green doors?"

Without waiting for their reply, which would probably have been of the
caustic and provocative type, I turned down the path I had not trodden
for some three years. At one of the bends I looked up and saw them
moving north along the coast-line.

I had the cove to myself, and was soon in my bathing-dress. The water
was magnificent. I swam out about forty yards, and turned just in time
to see Berry & Co. disappear in the distance, apparently descending
into a neighbouring cove. After a rest on a rock, I set out to swim
round and join them. It was further than I thought, and I was glad to
wade out of the water and lie down on the sand in the sun. No sign of
the others, by the way. But hereabouts the coast was very ragged. It
must have been the next cove they were making for.

"Quite still, please," said somebody, and the next moment a camera
clicked.

"You might have given me time to moisten the lips," said I.

"I doubt if it would have done any good."

"Thanks, very much. By the way, I suppose you're The Daily Glass? How
did you find me out?"

"Rumour travels apace, sir."

"And I had been congratulating myself on eluding the Press since
breakfast. Well, well! Only this morning--"

"Dry up!"

I apostrophized the sea.

"I don't want to have to report the chap," I said, "but if--"

The camera clicked again.

"I'm not sure this isn't an assault," I said. "That it is a trespass, I
know. Who are your solici