It is likely that the happiness of my whole life depends upon this venture." A curious smile passed across Jack Meredith's face.

Without turning his head, he glanced sideways into Durnovo's face through the gloom.

But he said nothing, and it was Oscard who broke the silence by saying simply: "The same may possibly apply to me." There was a little pause, during which he lighted his pipe.
"To a certain extent," he said in emendation.

"Of course, my real object, as you no doubt know, is to get away from England until my father's death has been forgotten.

My own conscience is quite clear, but--" Jack Meredith drew in his legs and leant forward.
"But," he said, interrupting, and yet not interrupting--"but the public mind is an unclean sink.