He was in the midst of telling her about the draw for the great
diamond at Brennerstadt and how the tickets had been reduced from
monkeys to ponies because the monkeys were too shy, when there came
the sound for which she waited--a hand upon the window-catch and
the swirl of sand blown in by the draught as it opened.

She was up in a moment, guarding the candle and looking out over it
with eager, half-dazzled eyes. For an instant her look met Burke's
as he stood in the aperture, then swiftly travelled to the man with
him. Guy, with a ghastly face that tried to smile, was hanging
upon him for support.

Burke shut the window with decision and stood staring at Sylvia's
companion.

Kelly at once proceeded with volubility to explain his presence.
"Ah, yes, it's meself in the flesh, Burke, and very pleased to see
ye. I've taken a holiday to come and do ye a good turn. And Mrs.
Ranger has been entertaining me like a prince in your absence. So
you've got young Guy with you! What's the matter with the boy?"

"I'm all right," said Guy, and quitted his hold upon Burke as if to
demonstrate the fact.

But Burke took him by the arm and led him to a chair. "You sit
down!" he commanded briefly. "Hullo, Donovan! Glad to see you!
Have you had a drink?"

"Sure, I've had all that mortal man could desire and more to it,"
declared Kelly.