The Riddle of the Sands | Page 6

_précis_ of--let us say--the less confidential
consular reports, and squeezing the results into cast-iron schedules. The
reason of my detention was not a cloud on the international
horizon--though I may say in passing that there was such a cloud--but a
caprice on the part of a remote and mighty personage, the effect of
which, ramifying downwards, had dislocated the carefully-laid holiday
plans of the humble juniors, and in my own small case had upset the
arrangement between myself and K--, who positively liked the
dog-days in Whitehall.
Only one thing was needed to fill my cup of bitterness, and this it was
that specially occupied me as I dressed for dinner this evening. Two
days more in this dead and fermenting city and my slavery would be at
an end. Yes, but--irony of ironies!--I had nowhere to go to! The
Morven Lodge party was breaking up. A dreadful rumour as to an
engagement which had been one of its accursed fruits tormented me
with the fresh certainty that I had not been missed, and bred in me that
most desolating brand of cynicism which is produced by defeat through
insignificance. Invitations for a later date, which I had declined in July
with a gratifying sense of being much in request, now rose up
spectrally to taunt me. There was at least one which I could easily have
revived, but neither in this case nor in any other had there been any
renewal of pressure, and there are moments when the difference
between proposing oneself and surrendering as a prize to one of several
eagerly competing hostesses seems too crushing to be contemplated.
My own people were at Aix for my father's gout; to join them was a pis
aller whose banality was repellent. Besides, they would be leaving
soon for our home in Yorkshire, and I was not a prophet in my own
country. In short, I was at the extremity of depression.
The usual preliminary scuffle on the staircase prepared me for the
knock and entry of Withers. (One of the things which had for some
time ceased to amuse me was the laxity of manners, proper to the
season, among the servants of the big block of chambers where I lived.)
Withers demurely handed me a letter bearing a German post-mark and
marked 'Urgent'. I had just finished dressing, and was collecting my

money and gloves. A momentary thrill of curiosity broke in upon my
depression as I sat down to open it. A comer on the reverse of the
envelope bore the blotted legend: 'Very sorry, but there's one other
thing--a pair of rigging screws from Carey and Neilson's, size 1 3/8,
galvanized.' Here it is:
_
Yacht 'Dulcibella,'
Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, 21st Sept._
DEAR CARRUTHERS,--I daresay you'll be surprised at hearing from
me, as it's ages since we met. It is more than likely, too, that what I'm
going to suggest won't suit you, for I know nothing of your plans, and if
you're in town at all you're probably just getting into harness again and
can't get away. So I merely write on the offchance to ask if you would
care to come out here and join me in a little yachting, and, I hope, duck
shooting. I know you're keen on shooting, and I sort of remember that
you have done some yachting too, though I rather forget about that.
This part of the Baltic--the Schleswig fiords--is a splendid
cruising-ground--Al scenery--and there ought to be plenty of duck
about soon, if it gets cold enough. I came out here via Holland and the
Frisian Islands, starting early in August. My pals have had to leave me,
and I'm badly in want of another, as I don't want to lay up yet for a bit. I
needn't say how glad I should be if you could come. If you can, send
me a wire to the P.O. here. Flushing and on by Hamburg will be your
best route, I think. I'm having a few repairs done here, and will have
them ready sharp by the time your train arrives. Bring your gun and a
good lot of No. 4's; and would you mind calling at Lancaster's and
asking for mine, and bringing it too? Bring some oilskins. Better get the
eleven-shilling sort, jacket and trousers--not the 'yachting' brand; and if
you paint bring your gear. I know you speak German like a native, and
that will be a great help. Forgive this hail of directions, but I've a sort of
feeling that I'm in luck and that you'll come. Anyway, I hope you and
the F.O. both flourish. Good-bye.
Yours ever, ARTHUR H. DAVIES.

Would you mind bringing me out a prismatic compass, and a pound of
Raven Mixture.
This letter marked an epoch for me; but I