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He seemed wrapped in abstract thought. "I wonder if I could induce you to change your mind," he said. "I am quite sure that you could not." "Still, I am going to try. You are a great admirer of my wife, I believe, Mr. Wingate?" Wingate frowned slightly. "I prefer not to discuss Lady Dredlinton with you," he said curtly.
Or first we'd better wake Dredlinton." He leaned over and touched the crouching form upon the shoulder. There was no response. "Dredlinton," he said firmly, "wake up. Your vigil is over." Again there was no response. Wingate leaned over and lifted him up bodily by both shoulders. Rees went off into a fit of idiotic laughter. Phipps stretched out his hands before his eyes.
"His lordship wants the whisky and soda brought in here, Grant," Wingate told him, "and wait just a moment. You seem very much distressed about the disappearance of your friends, Lord Dredlinton. Would you like to see them?" "What? See Stanley Rees and Peter Phipps now?" "Yes!" "You are talking nonsense!" Dredlinton shouted.
"You know Lady Dredlinton very well, don't you Mr. Wingate?" she asked, a little abruptly. His answer was marked with a warning note of stiffness. "Lady Dredlinton," he repeated. "I know her, certainly. I was at her hospital at Étaples." "Every one says that she is charming," the young lady continued, with a side glance at him.
All the apparent good humour had faded from Phipps' face. He struck the table with his fist. "Dredlinton," he insisted, "you must use your authority. That message is a private one. It must not be read." Wingate moved to Josephine's side. "Must not?" he repeated under his breath.
Is that clear enough?" "Clear enough," Dredlinton muttered, "but what the mischief does it all mean?" "You threaten us?" Phipps asked calmly. "I do indeed," Wingate assented. "I threaten you. I threaten you. Peter Phipps, you, Lord Dredlinton, and I threaten your absent directors. I came over here prepared for something in the nature of a financial duel.
He glanced towards Phipps, Phipps, whose hands were clasped together as though he were in pain. "The wanderers returned," Wingate explained, with a smile. "Lord Dredlinton, as you know. Inspector, has been very much worried by the supposed disappearance of his fellow directors. They turned up here last night unexpectedly.
"Look here," he said, "this subject is not of my choosing. I should have preferred to avoid it. Since you press me, however, I haven't the faintest hesitation in saying that I look upon your wife as one of the sweetest and best women I ever knew, married, unfortunately, to a person utterly unworthy of her." Dredlinton started in his place. A little streak of colour flushed up to his eyes.
"Don't agree with you, sir," Jimmy declared, with most unusual seriousness. "I don't like the way you are talking, and I'm dead off the B. & I. myself. I'd cut my connection with it, if I were you. Been looking for trouble for a long time and, great Scot, I believe they're going to get it!" "Damned rubbish!" Lord Dredlinton muttered angrily. "Heavens! Jimmy's in earnest!" Sarah exclaimed, rising.
There was a moment's intense silence. Dredlinton opened his lips and closed them again. Phipps was exhibiting remarkable self-control. His tone, as he addressed Wingate, was grave but almost natural. "Under these circumstances, do you wish to repudiate your bargain?" he asked. "We must at least know where we are." Wingate turned to Josephine. "The matter," he decided, "is not in my hands.
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