They were interrupted by an extraordinary noise from the French singer, who seemed suddenly to have gone mad.

The Push had watched in ominous silence the approach of the Frenchman.

But, as he passed them and finished a verse, a blood-curdling cry rose from the group.

It was a perfect imitation of a dog baying the moon in agony.

The singer stopped and scowled at the group, but the Push seemed to be unaware of his existence.