experiencing that pleasant thrill which comes to a certain type of
person when the victim of a murder in the morning paper is an
acquaintance of theirs.

"What are you talking about?" he said. "There's no danger. At least,
not much. He might easily come down all right. Besides, he wants to.
What do you want to go interfering for?"

Roland returned. The negotiations with the bird-man had lasted a little
longer than one would have expected. But then, of course, M. Feriaud
was a foreigner, and Roland's French was not fluent.

He took Muriel's hand.

"Good-by," he said.

He shook hands with the rest of the party, even with Albert Potter. It
struck Frank that he was making too much fuss over a trifle--and,
worse, delaying the start of the proceedings.

"What's it all about?" he demanded. "You go on as if we were never
going to see you again."

"You never know."

"It's as safe as being in bed."

"But still, in case we never meet again----"

"Oh, well," said Brother Frank, and took the outstretched hand.