"What we have to do now is to catch the thing." "It's time," drawled Harding.

"The circus is beginning." Men's laughter and women's shrieks rose from the rotunda.

Somebody shouted orders in French, there was a patter of running feet, and then a crash as of chairs being overturned.

Blake sprang in, and Harding followed, divided between amusement and impatience.

They saw an animated scene.