"
He had come up behind the colonel, who was still seated. "Yes, that was
a long while ago," said Charteris. "It is rather terrible--isn't it?--to
reflect precisely how long ago it was. Why, I shall be bald in a year or
two from now. But you have kept almost all your beautiful hair,
Rudolph."
Charteris touched the colonel's head, stroking his hair ever so lightly
once or twice. It was in effect a caress.
The colonel was aware of the odor of myrrh which always accompanied
Charteris and felt that the little man was trembling.
"Isn't there--anything you want to tell me, Jack?" the colonel said. He
sat quite still.
There was the tiniest pause. The caressing finger-tips lifted from
Musgrave's head, but presently gave it one more brief and half-timid
touch.
"Why, only _au revoir_, I believe. I am leaving at a rather ungodly hour
to-morrow and won't see you, but I hope to return within the week."
"I hope so, Jack."
"And, after all, it is too late to be reading. I shall go back to bed
and take more trional.
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