“There’s grit in the boy,” he murmured.

For Noel, with a black shade covering his bandaged eyes, was obviously as merry as any there.  He was holding Peggy Musgrave perched on his shoulder, and his thin, brown face was upturned and laughing.  There seemed to be some joke going on between them, for Peggy was also chuckling vigorously, and as Max watched she slipped a caressing hand round Noel’s chin and tenderly kissed him.

Daisy and Will Musgrave were standing next to them, but they were plainly not thinking of Peggy or her cavalier.  They were very close together and hand in hand.

It was nearly an hour later that Max joined the party as they came ashore.  Noel’s pleasure at meeting him was very obvious.  He gripped him by both hands.

“Old chap, you’re a brick to come and meet me!” he said.  “I was thinking of asking Trevor, but I’d ten times sooner have you.”

“Trevor’s away,” Max said.  “I’ve come to take possession of you altogether.  I suppose you’ve no objection?”

“Objection!” laughed Noel.  He pushed his hand through his brother’s arm.  “You’ll have to pilot me,” he said.  “I’m getting used to things, but I can’t find my way in a crowd yet.”

And then came the meeting with Olga.  It was very brief.  For barely the fraction of a second her hand lay in Max’s.  Her greeting was quite inaudible.

Noel turned to her.  “Olga, Max wants me to clear out at once with him.  You’re going to Marriot’s with Nick of course.  I shall come round and see you to-night.”

“Perhaps Olga will come and see you instead,” said Max.  “Is Dr. Jim spending the night in town?  Bring him to dine!  I will speak to him, shall I?”

He passed on and made the arrangement with Dr. Jim, not waiting for her reply.

Then came a general rallying of the party, introductions and good-byes, fervent embraces from Peggy, good wishes and invitations on all sides, and at last the final departure of the two Wyndhams in Sir Kersley Whitton’s motor.

Noel removed his hat and leaned back with a sigh.  “It’s been a ripping voyage,” he said.  “But I’m deuced glad it’s over.”  He added with a laugh, as Max made no comment.  “I shall miss Peggy though.  She’s been blind man’s dog to me all through.”

“Let us hope you won’t need a dog to lead you about much longer!” said Max.

Whereat Noel’s hand came out gropingly, with a certain diffidence.  “Oh, man,” he said, “I haven’t dared to think of that!”

Max grasped the hand.  “I’ll do my best for you, old chap,” he said.  “But you’ll need a thundering lot of patience.”

“I’ve been cultivating that,” said Noel.  “The only thing I can’t stand is not to know the truth.”

“I shan’t keep you in the dark,” said Max.  “It’s not my way.”

He was as good as his word.  A few hours later he made his first examination of the injury, and curtly gave it as his opinion that it was not beyond remedy.