But the lame man rose irritably to the bait.
"No, perhaps I am not going to give up the common cause.

You must understand that..." "What, would you join the quintet if I proposed it to you ?" Verhovensky boomed suddenly, and he laid down the scissors.
Every one seemed startled.

The mysterious man had revealed himself too freely.

He had even spoken openly of the "quintet." "Every one feels himself to be an honest man and will not shirk his part in the common cause"-- the lame man tried to wriggle out of it--"but..." "No, this is not a question which allows of a _but_," Verhovensky interrupted harshly and peremptorily.

"I tell you, gentlemen, I must have a direct answer.