The outburst which was not entirely unexpected to Labar, seemed to annoy Larry Hughes. “Keep quiet, you! When I want your advice I’ll ask for it.” He snarled fiercely at the woman as though she were a petulant child. “Listen, Mr. Labar,” he went on in lighter tone. “If you’re reckoning on friend Malone butting in on this séance, or sneaking away to get help, you’ve got another guess coming. Mr. Malone is chewing the cud under some sacks in an outhouse and a length of line wrapped well and truly round him to prevent him straying. There’s no one else likely to interrupt us.”