He wanted to know, first, who was the man who had touched this indifferent maiden into warm life.

The knowledge would be an extra spice to his pleasure.
"Who are staying in the house ?" he asked.

It would be amusing to make his selection, and discover if he were right.
"Dennis Brown, Harold Jupp"-- Joan began, puzzled by his question, yet welcoming it as so much delay.
"I don't want to hear about them," Mario Escobar replied.

"Tell me of the new-comers!" "Martin Hillyard----" Joan began again, and was aware that Mario Escobar made a quick startled movement and gasped.

Martin Hillyard's name was a pail of cold water for Escobar.
"Does Hillyard know that I am at Midhurst ?" he asked sharply.
"No," Joan answered.
There was something which Hillyard had told her about Mario Escobar, something which she had rejected and dismissed altogether from her thoughts.