because very little drink made him nasty, the emotional Willie
turned malignant all at once, and in a bibulous tone surprising in
a man able to keep his balance so well -

"Aha! But you haven't got him here--not yet!" he sneered. "No!
You haven't got him yet."

This outrageous exhibition was to the Editor like the lash to a
jaded horse. He positively jumped.

"What of that? What do you mean? We--haven't--got--him--here. Of
course he isn't here! But Geoffrey's schooner is here. She can be
sent at once to fetch him here. No! Stay! There's a better plan.
Why shouldn't you all sail over to Malata, professor? Save time!
I am sure Miss Moorsom would prefer. . ."

With a gallant flourish of his arm he looked for Miss Moorsom. She
had disappeared. He was taken aback somewhat.

"Ah! H'm. Yes. . . . Why not. A pleasure cruise, delightful
ship, delightful season, delightful errand, del . . . No! There
are no objections. Geoffrey, I understand, has indulged in a
bungalow three sizes too large for him. He can put you all up. It
will be a pleasure for him. It will be the greatest privilege.
Any man would be proud of being an agent of this happy reunion. I
am proud of the little part I've played. He will consider it the
greatest honour. Geoff, my boy, you had better be stirring to-
morrow bright and early about the preparations for the trip. It
would be criminal to lose a single day."