The file slammed down on to the table.
"I am riding to Horley this afternoon!" said his master dangerously.
"'Tis a matter of fifteen miles or so, your honour. Hadn't ye better-"
"Damn you, Jim, be quiet!"
Salter gave it up.
"Very well, sir," he said, and unearthed the required dress. "I'll see the baggage goes by coach, and saddle the mare and Peter."
"Not Peter. You go in the coach."
"No, sir."
"What!"
My lord stared at him. There had been a note of finality in the respectful tone. My lord became icy.
"You forget yourself, Salter."
"I ask your pardon, sir."
"You will travel in charge of my things, as usual."
Jim compressed his lips, and stowed a shoe away in one corner of the bag.
"You understand me?"
"I understand ye well enough, sir."
"Then that is settled."
"No, sir."
My lord dropped his eye-glass.
"What the devil do you mean-'No, sir'?"
"I ask your pardon, sir, an I presume, but I can't and won't let ye ride alone with your wound but just healed." There was not a hint of defiance or impertinence in the quiet voice, but it held a great determination.
"You won't, eh? Do you imagine I am a child?"
"No, sir."
"Or unable to take care of myself?"
"I think ye are weaker than ye know, sir."
"Oh, you do, do you?"
Jim came up to him.
"Ye'll let me ride with ye, sir? I won't trouble ye, and I can ride behind, but I can't let ye go alone. Ye might faint-sir-"
"I can assure you I am not like to be a pleasant companion!" said Carstares with a savage little laugh.
"Why, sir, I understand there's something troubling ye. Will ye let me come?"
My lord scowled up at him, then relented suddenly.
"As you please."
"Thank ye, sir." Salter returned to his packing, cording one bag and placing it near the door, and quickly filling another. The piles of linen grew steadily smaller until they disappeared, and he retired into a cupboard to reappear with a great armful of coats and smallclothes.
For a long while my lord sat silent staring blankly before him. He walked to the window and stood with his back to the room, looking out, then he turned and came back to his chair. Jim, watching him covertly, noted that the hard glitter had died out of his eyes, and that he looked wearier than ever.
Carstares studied his nails for a moment in silence. Presently he spoke: "Jim."
"Yes, sir?"
"I shall be-going abroad again shortly."
If Carstares had remarked that it was a fine day the man could not have shown less surprise.