ogise for not saying how-de-do
but things have been moving today. Everyone feeling good? Fine.
Lord, I'm tired." And he passed a hand tied with a bloodstained
handkerchief across his brow.

Mrs. Barraclough was first to notice it and called for an explanation.

"Oh, that's all right--a scratch--bled a bit. Nothing to bother about.
Flora, if you leave that window unguarded you're sacked. Jane, if you
love me, a large and a small."

"But what is it all about?" Mrs. Barraclough implored after shaking her
head at the thought of whiskey.

"Money, dear--money and a bit of paper I carry in this note case that
is earnestly coveted by quite a number of people it doesn't belong to.
When I asked for a large and a small, Jane, I was endeavouring to
convey the idea that I was thirsty."

But Jane was reluctant to go and only consented to do so on a promise
that no secrets should be revealed in her absence.

"Be a darling, mother dear, and fill me a pipe."

It was characteristic of Anthony Barraclough that the entire household
revolved round him from the instant of appearance.

"Then there is something wrong with your hand," said the old lady
filling the pipe and putting it in the corner of his mouth, while Flora
risked a month's notice by rushing forward with a lighted match. "I
shall tie it up while you have your smoke."

Anthony's protests were unavailing when the ministering angel mood
descended upon his mother. At such a time she was inexorable. She
called upon Flora to fill the slop basin with warm water and provide
scissors (always so elusive when needed) and naturally Flora, who was
entirely absorbed in the adventurous side of the proceedings, could
only find the rose cutters which were entirely useless.

"It's a bullet wound," Mrs. Barraclough declared. "You can't deceive
me--it's a bullet wound."

"Well, p'raps it is, mother, but since it was never intended for my
hand we needn't bother about it."

"You must have it bandaged and go to bed straight away."

"Bed!" He threw back his head and laughed. "It's likely."

"And you'll want a sling."

"Not for this David, mother. A sling would be a fat lot of use against
the Goliaths I'm dealing with. Mother, I'm within a hundred and fifty
miles of being one of the richest men in the world and, as far as I can
see, they'll be the toughest miles I've ever covered in my life."

And suddenly from the window came Flora's cry of "Look out!"

Anthony did not