The round pool of light which spread out beneath the lamp was behind Ballantyne when he turned to the doorway, so Thresk for a moment was only aware of him as a big heavily-built man in a smoking-jacket and a starched white shirt; and it was to that starched white shirt that he spoke, making his apologies.

He was glad too to delay for a second or two the moment when he must speak to Stella.

In her presence this eight long years of effort and work had become a very little space.
"I had to come as I was, Captain Ballantyne," he said, "for I have only with me what I want for the night in the train." "Of course.

That's all right," Ballantyne replied with a great cordiality.

He turned towards Stella.