Mystery and Crime Hume, Fergus: The Mandarins Fan. v1. 20 Jul 2016

[crutledge]

Fergus Hume: Born : 1859 Jul 8 England Lived : Thundersley, Essex, England: Died : 1932 Jul 12
Thundersley, Essex, England

Excerpt
One July evening in the first year of the present century, two gentlemen were seated on the terrace of the mansion known as Royabay. A small rosewood table was placed between the deep arm-chairs, and thereon appeared wine, coffee, and a box of cigars. The young host smoked a briar and sipped coffee, but his guest, very wisely, devoted himself to superlative port and a fragrant cigar. Major Tidman was a battered old soldier of fortune, who appreciated good quarters and made the most of civilized luxuries, when other people paid for them. He had done full justice to a dinner admirably cooked and served, while Ainsleigh, the master of the feast, had merely trifled with his food. Now, the wary Tidman gave himself up to the perfect enjoyment of wine, cigar and the quiet evening, while his host restlessly changed his position a dozen times in ten minutes and gloomed misanthropically at the beautiful surroundings.

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