XVI
One great advantage of stone stairs is that they don't creak. So the Colonel reflected, once more in his brown tweeds, as he cautiously felt his way down the iron hand-rail. He was in stocking feet, groping through the moonlight. He sat on the bottom step to put on his shoes. While doing so he had a sudden fright. The major domo emerged noiselessly from shadow.
"Don't you ever go to bed, Romsteck?"
"I was expecting you, sir. Is there anything I can do?"
"A clean handkerchief, perhaps. I think I caught a little cold in the moat."
"Here you are, sir. Also I've got some dry money for you. I take it that the bills got wet. Wet money seems suspicious, somehow, sir."
"Jove, you think of everything. I dare say you're just rolling in coin."
