"Can you let us have the particulars of his escape, Lord Ashleigh?
The sooner we get the hang of things, the better." Their host turned towards the butler, who was arranging a tray upon the sideboard.
"You must permit me to offer you some refreshments after your journey," he begged.

"Then I will tell you the whole story.

I think you will agree, when you hear it, that no particular blame can be said to rest upon any one's shoulders.

It was simply an extraordinary interposition of chance.
There is tea, whisky and soda, and wine here, Mr.Quest.Edgar, I know you'll take some tea." "English tea for me," the Professor remarked, watching the cream.
"Whisky and soda here," Quest decided.
Lord Ashleigh himself attended to the wants of his guests.

Then, at his instigation, they made themselves comfortable in easy-chairs and he commenced his narration.
"You know, of course," he began, "that Craig was arrested at Liverpool in consequence of communications from the New York police.