It was a summer’s evening in Sydney, and the north-east wind that comesdown from New Guinea and the tropical islands over leagues of warm sea, broughton its wings a heavy depressing moisture. In the streets people walkedlistlessly, perspired, mopped themselves, and abused their much-vauntedclimate. Everyone who could manage it was out of town, either on the heights ofMoss Vale or the Blue Mountains, escaping from the Inferno of Sydney.
In the Cassowary Club, weary, pallid waiters brought iced drinks to such of themembers as were condemned to spend the summer in town. The gong had sounded,and in ones and twos members shuffled out of the smoking-room, and went in todinner. At last only three were left talking at the far end of the big, emptysmoking-room, lik