It was Adela who filled in the gap, eager for entertainment, and the next moment Warden had turned to her, and was talking in his careless, leisurely fashion.

The ordeal was past, her pulses quieted down again.

Yet she realized that he had not addressed a single word to her, and the conviction came upon her that not thus would he have treated one who was a total stranger to him.
Because of Fletcher, who remained beside her, she forced herself to join in the conversation, seconding Adela's urgent request that the two men would play.
Warden laughed and looked at Fletcher.

"Do you care to take me on, sir ?" he said.
From the other side of the table, Harley uttered his barking laugh.

"Now is your chance, Mr.Hill! Down him once and for all, and give us the pleasure of seeing how it's done!" There was venom in the words.