and drew up a wicker chair close in front of the fire.
"It's incredible!" he murmured, and as he stared at the flames this thought seemed to haunt him all the time.
Bisset laid the table and another hour passed. Ned ate a little lunch and then smoked and stared at the fire while the wind droned and blustered without ceasing, and occasionally a cross gust sent the rain drops softly pattering on the panes.
"I'm damned if I see a thing!" he suddenly exclaimed half aloud, and jumped to his feet.
Before he had time to start for the door, Bisset's mysterious efficiency was made manifest again. Precisely as he was wanted, he appeared, and this time it was clear that his own efforts had not been altogether fruitless. He had in fact an air of even greater complacency than usual.
"I have arrived at certain conclusions, sir," he announced.
