For a moment or two, no one spoke. Superintendent Battle because he was a man of ripe experience who knew how infinitely better it was to let everyone else speak if they could be persuaded upon to do so, Colonel Melrose because he was habitually taciturn, George because he was in the habit of having notice given him of the question, Lord Caterham because he had not the least idea of what to say. The silence of the other three, however, and the fact that he had been directly addressed, finally forced speech upon the last named.

“Er⁠—quite so⁠—quite so,” he said nervously. “Won’t⁠—you⁠—er⁠—sit down?”

“Thank you,” said Anthony.

George cleared his throat portentously.

“Er⁠—when you say you can throw light upon this matter, you mean⁠—?”