Yet, curiously enough, the two men who knew most about it were the two most silent men in the room, for each was dining alone.

Francis, who had remained only in the hope that something of the sort might happen, was conscious of a queer sense of excitement when, with the service of coffee, Sir Timothy, glass in hand, moved up from a table lower down and with a word of apology took the vacant place by his side.

It was what he had desired, and yet he felt a thrill almost of fear at Sir Timothy's murmured words.

He felt that he was in the company of one who, if not an enemy, at any rate had no friendly feeling towards him.
"My congratulations, Mr.Ledsam," Sir Timothy said quietly.

"You appear to have started your career with a success." "Only a partial one," Francis acknowledged, "and as a matter of fact I deny that I have started in any new career.