Fielding drew up a chair to the fire.

'Have a drink?
The cigars are on the mantelshelf.' Drake fetched a syphon and a decanter of whisky and mixed two glasses.

He handed one to Fielding, and brought his map to the fire.
'Ah!' said Fielding.

'There's likely to be a rising in Matanga, I see.' 'Very possibly.' 'How will that affect you ?' 'Not at all, I think.

It may delay things, of course, but it won't take long, and, besides, it won't touch the interior of the country.