Arguing thus, it seemed that Hervey was out of the running, and
Random could think of no one else. In this dilemma he remembered
that two heads were better than one, and, before going into
dinner, he sent a note to Archie Hope, asking him to come to the
Fort as speedily as possible.
Sir Frank was somewhat dull at dinner on that evening, and
scarcely responded to the joking remarks of his brother officers.
These jocularly put his preoccupation down to love, for it was an
open secret that the baronet admired the fair Peruvian, although
no one as yet knew that Random was legally engaged with Don
Pedro's consent. The young man good-humoredly stood all the
chaff hurled at him, but seized the opportunity to slip away to
his quarters as soon as coffee came on the table and the smoking
began. It was nine o'clock before he returned to his room, and
here he found Hope waiting for him impatiently.
"I see you have been dining at the Pyramids," said Random, seeing
that Hope was in evening dress.
Archie nodded.
"Yes. I don't put on this kit to have my humble chop at my
lodgings. But the Professor asked me to dinner to talk over
matters."
"What does he say?" asked Random, looking for the cigarette box.
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