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196 French chef as good as the one Lord Stranleigh keeps; so good that he'll never miss the cook he leaves in Stranleigh House."

"I see," murmured John Hazel. "Lord Stranleigh is to be my guest, then?"

"Yes; you'll save him a railway journey, and as he delights in the sea he won't mind the voyage being a day or two longer than would be the case with a faster vessel."

"No, he wouldn't mind that. Is anything else expected of me?"

"Nothing, dear Mr. Hazel, except that I should like you to see personally to the provisioning of the yacht, so that everything will be to your satisfaction; and, as in this house, if there's anything you want, all you have to do is to ring for it. Of course, when I say, see personally, I mean only that you'll take the trouble to look over the list of her equipment, and anything you suggest will be added."

The Honourable John Hazel poured himself out another glass of champagne.

"I suppose I may put into any convenient port so that Lord Stranleigh may telegraph to London or receive letters while we are en route? The Lady of the Lake is a slow boat, you say."

"After The Lady of the Lake leaves Southampton, Mr. Hazel, her next port of call will be Cadiz. That is part of our contract."