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The Keneu had telegraphed to Cairo for horses; Cassavetti had stolen a perfectly inaccurate list of troops that would be ordered forward, and was reading it out amid profane interruptions, and the Keneu introduced to Dick some man unknown who would be employed as war artist by the Central Southern Syndicate. 'It's his first outing, said the Keneu. 'Give him some tips about riding camels.
There's Guinea-worm in most of the wells on that route. Then the Nilghai, despairing of peace, bellowed like a fog-horn and beat upon the table with both hands. 'But what becomes of Torpenhow? said Dick, in the silence that followed. 'Torp's in abeyance just now. He's off love-making somewhere, I suppose, said the Nilghai. 'He said he was going to stay at home, said the Keneu.
Torpenhow, the Keneu, and the Nilghai had bidden all the men they had worked with to the orgy; and Mr. Beeton, the housekeeper, declared that never before in his checkered experience had he seen quite such a fancy lot of gentlemen. They waked the chambers with shoutings and song; and the elder men were quite as bad as the younger.
'What d'you mean? said Dick. 'Mean! You'll see when Mr. Torpenhow comes back. It was not long to wait. Torpenhow met Bessie on the staircase without a sign of feeling. He had news that was more to him than many Bessies, and the Keneu and the Nilghai were trampling behind him, calling for Dick. 'Drinking like a fish, Bessie whispered.
I shall share these rooms with the Nilghai till Torpenhow returns. There will be a batch of unbridled "specials" coming to town in a little while, and these will serve as their headquarters. Another reason for sending Torpenhow away. Thus Providence helps those who help others, and' here the Keneu dropped his measured speech 'we can't have you tied by the leg to Dick when the trouble begins.
'The greater chance of its being true. I thought we should arrive. Who is she? Then Torpenhow told a tale in plain words, as a special correspondent who knows how to make a verbal precis should tell it. The men listened without interruption. 'Is it possible that a man can come back across the years to his calf-love? said the Keneu. 'Is it possible? 'I give the facts.
He wants a lighter step. Then, aloud, 'Very well. Since you're so independent, I'm going off for four or five days. Say good-bye at least. The housekeeper will look after you, and Keneu has my rooms. Dick's face fell. 'You won't be longer than a week at the outside? I know I'm touched in the temper, but I can't get on without you. 'Can't you?
The constant strain of attendance on Dick had worn his nerves thin. 'There remains a third fate, said the Keneu, thoughtfully. 'Consider this, and be not larger fools than necessary. Dick is or rather was an able-bodied man of moderate attractions and a certain amount of audacity. 'Oho! said the Nilghai, who remembered an affair at Cairo. 'I begin to see, Torp, I'm sorry.
Gummidge, and Dick had retired in a black fury to handle and re-handle three unopened letters from Maisie. The Nilghai, fat, burly, and aggressive, was in Torpenhow's rooms. Behind him sat the Keneu, the Great War Eagle, and between them lay a large map embellished with black-and-white-headed pins. 'I was wrong about the Balkans, said the Nilghai. 'But I'm not wrong about this business.
I shall go, the Keneu will be there, Torp will be there, Cassavetti will be there, and the whole lot of us will be there, and we shall have as much as ever we can do, with unlimited fighting and the chance for you of seeing things that would make the reputation of three Verestchagins. 'Um! said Dick, pulling at his pipe.
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