A spot of colour blazed in his pale cheeks, the glass which he was holding snapped in his fingers.

He seemed suddenly possessed.
"I say, what the hell are you getting at ?" he cried.

"Are you accusing me--or any of us Victor's pals ?" "I accuse no one," Francis replied, unperturbed.

"You invited a statement from me and I made it." Sir Timothy Brast rose from his place and made his way to the end of the counter, next to Fairfax and nearest Francis.

He addressed the former.
There was an inscrutable smile upon his lips, his manner was reassuring.
"Young gentleman," he begged, "pray do not disturb yourself.