“No, sir, Williams has made no mistake. I have already sent for Dr. Cartwright, and in the meantime I have taken the liberty of locking the door, preparatory to informing Sir Oswald of what has occurred. I must now find Mr. Bateman.”

Tredwell hurried away. Ronny stood like a man dazed.

“Gerry,” he muttered to himself.

Jimmy took his friend by the arm and steered him out through a side door on to a secluded portion of the terrace. He pushed him down on to a seat.

“Take it easy, old son,” he said kindly. “You’ll get your wind in a minute.”

But he looked at him rather curiously. He had had no idea that Ronny was such a friend of Gerry Wade’s.