Читать книгу The Dark River онлайн

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"You must see that he does, George, if you can."

"I'll try, of course; but Alan's damnably stubborn. He tells me to go to hell if I'm too solicitous."

"His father warned me that he is more than sensitive about it. What foolishness! Why should he be?"

"I know. It's absurd, but I've found there's no joking him out of it. He seems to feel that there's something shameful in having anything wrong with him..."

"Here he is!" warned Tyson. He pulled back a chair as Hardie made his way among the crowded tables. "I've ordered your breakfast, Alan: bacon and eggs. Thought I couldn't go wrong on that."

"Thanks; just what I want."

Hardie seated himself and removed a pair of dark glasses which he passed to McLeod. "How do you like 'em, Mac? Pretty swanky, aren't they?" He turned to the consul. "I've just bought them, sir. Your friend Brocard advised it."

"You'll make no mistake in following his advice. The sunlight here isn't what you're used to at home, Alan. Don't forget that."

Hardie smiled wryly. "All I need now is a false beard and I can pass for a first-class amateur sleuth. How much time have we?"