He did it with absolute gentleness, but with a resolution that admitted of no resistance--at least Nan attempted none.
But the action infuriated Jerry, and in the flurry of the moment he completely lost his head.
"What the devil do you mean ?" he demanded loudly.
An abrupt silence fell upon the buzzing throng about them.

Through it, with unfaltering composure, fell Piet Cradock's reply.
"I mean exactly what I have said.

If you have any objection to raise, I am ready to deal with it, either now or later--as you shall choose." The words were hardly uttered when Nan did an extraordinary thing.

She lifted a perfectly colourless face with a ghastly smile upon it, and held out her free hand to Jerry.
"All right, Jerry," she said.

"I think I'll go after all.