CHAPTER XXV 

MARCHING ORDERS 

A silence followed. To Mike, lying in bed, holding his breath, it seemed a long silence. As a matter of fact it lasted for perhaps ten seconds. Then Mr. Wain spoke. 

"You have been out, James?" 

It is curious how in the more dramatic moments of life the inane remark is the first that comes to us. 

"Yes, sir," said Wyatt. 

"I am astonished. Exceedingly astonished." 

"I got a bit of a start myself," said Wyatt. 

"I shall talk to you in my study. Follow me there." 

"Yes, sir." 

He left the room, and Wyatt suddenly began to chuckle. 

"I say, Wyatt!" said Mike, completely thrown off his balance by the events of the night. 

Wyatt continued to giggle helplessly. He flung himself down on his bed, rolling with laughter. Mike began to get alarmed. 

"It's all right," said Wyatt at last, speaking with difficulty. "But, I say, how long had he been sitting there?" 

"It seemed hours. About an hour, I suppose, really." 

"It's the funniest thing I've ever struck. Me sweating to get in quietly, and all the time him camping out on my bed!" 

"But look here, what'll happen?" 

Wyatt sat up. 

"That reminds me. Suppose I'd better go down." 

"What'll he do, do you think?" 

"Ah, now, what!" 

"But, I say, it's awful. What'll happen?" 

"That's for him to decide. Speaking at a venture, I should say----" 

"You don't think----?" 

"The boot. The swift and sudden boot. I shall be sorry to part with you, but I'm afraid it's a case of 'Au revoir, my little Hyacinth.' We shall meet at Philippi. This is my Moscow. To-morrow I shall go out into the night with one long, choking sob. Years hence a white-haired bank-clerk will tap at your door when you're a prosperous professional cricketer with your photograph in _Wisden_. That'll be me. Well, I suppose I'd better go down. We'd better all get to bed _some_ time to-night. Don't go to sleep." 
Where did he plop down?
Wyatt continued to giggle helplessly. He flung himself down on his bed, rolling with laughter. 