"Three o'clock," said Miss Chadd briefly.
"Then I have an hour before me," said Grant, and without another
word threw up the window and jumped out into the garden. He did
not walk straight up to the doctor and lunatic, but strolling
round the garden path drew near them cautiously and yet apparently
carelessly. He stood a couple of feet off them, seemingly counting
halfpence out of his trousers pocket, but, as I could see, looking
up steadily under the broad brim of his hat.
Suddenly he stepped up to Professor Chadd's elbow, and said, in a
loud familiar voice, "Well, my boy, do you still think the Zulus
our inferiors?"
The doctor knitted his brows and looked anxious, seeming to be
about to speak. The professor turned his bald and placid head
towards Grant in a friendly manner, but made no answer, idly
flinging his left leg about.
"Have you converted Dr Colman to your views?" Basil continued,
still in the same loud and lucid tone.
Chadd only shuffled his feet and kicked a little with the other
leg, his expression still benevolent and inquiring. The doctor cut
in rather sharply. "Shall we go inside, professor?" he said. "Now
you have shown me the garden. A beautiful garden. A most beautiful
garden. Let us go in," and he tried to draw the kicking
ethnologist by the elbow, at the same time whispering to Grant: "I
must ask you not to trouble him with questions.
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