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Chapter 10
Itwasnowgettingonforeighto’clock,andIwentbackandsawScaifetogivehimhisinstructions.Iarrangedwithhimhowtoplacehismen,andthenIwentforawalk,forIdidn’tfeeluptoanydinner.Iwentroundthedesertedgolf-course,andthentoapointonthecliffsfarthernorthbeyondthelineofthevillas.
Onthelittletrimnewly-maderoadsImetpeopleinflannelscomingbackfromtennisandthebeach,andacoastguardfromthewirelessstation,anddonkeysandpierrotspaddinghomewards.OutatseaintheblueduskIsawlightsappearontheAriadneandonthedestroyerawaytothesouth,andbeyondtheCocksandsthebiggerlightsofsteamersmakingfortheThames.ThewholescenewassopeacefulandordinarythatIgotmoredashedinspiritseverysecond.IttookallmyresolutiontostrolltowardsTrafalgarLodgeabouthalf-pastnine.
OnthewayIgotapieceofsolidcomfortfromthesightofagreyhoundthatwasswingingalongatanursemaid’sheels.HeremindedmeofadogIusedtohaveinRhodesia,andofthetimewhenItookhimhuntingwithmeinthePalihills.Wewereafterrhebok,thedunkind,andIrecollectedhowwehadfollowedonebeast,andbothheandIhadcleanlostit.Agreyhoundworksbysight,andmyeyesaregoodenough,butthatbucksimplyleakedoutofthelandscape.AfterwardsIfoundouthowitmanagedit.Againstthegreyrockofthekopjesitshowednomorethanacrowagainstathundercloud.Itdidn’tneedtorunaway;allithadtodowastostandstillandmeltintothebackground.
