Thesiger there if you don’t believe me. Not that I’d be putting any trust in what he’d say.”
“Is it true,” said Socks, “that George Lomax came down without his false teeth? That’s what I want to know.”
“There were two revolvers,” said Lady Coote. “Nasty things. I saw them myself. It’s a wonder this poor boy wasn’t killed.”
“Oh, I was born to be hanged,” said Jimmy.
“I hear that there was a Russian countess there of subtle beauty,” said Socks. “And that she vamped Bill.”
“Some of the things she said about Budapest were too dreadful,” said Lady Coote. “I shall never forget them. Oswald, we must send a subscription.”
Sir Oswald grunted.
“I’ll make a note of it, Lady Coote,” said Rupert Bateman.
“Thank you, Mr. Bateman. I feel one ought to do something as a thank offering. I can’t imagine how Sir Oswald escaped being shot—letting alone die of pneumonia.”
“Don’t be foolish, Maria,” said Sir Oswald.
“I’ve always had a horror of cat burglars,” said Lady Coote.
“Think of having the luck to meet one face to face. How thrilling!” murmured Socks.
“Don’t you believe it,” said Jimmy. “It’s damned painful.” And he patted his right arm gingerly.
“How is the poor arm?” inquired Lady Coote.