"An invention about us here?" he asked.
"About one of us," answered Sir Chichester; and Martin dared ask no more.
Harry Luttrell, however, had none of Martin's knowledge to restrain him.
"In that case, sir, wouldn't it be wiser to read it now, aloud?" he suggested. "It can't be suppressed now. Sooner or later every one will hear of it."
Every one agreed except Hillyard. To him Harry Luttrell seemed wilfully to be rushing towards catastrophe.
"Yes ... yes," said Sir Chichester slowly. He unfolded his newspaper again and read; and of all those who listened no one was more amazed than Hillyard himself. Mario Escobar had no hand in this abominable work. For this is what Sir Chichester read:
"'A mysterious and tragic event has occurred at Rackham Park, where Sir Chichester Splay, the well-known Baronet——'" He broke off to observe, "Really, it's put quite civilly, Millie. It's a dreadful mistake, but so far as the wording of the Editor is concerned it's put really more considerately than I noticed at first."
"Oh, please go on," cried Millie.
"Very well, my dear," and he resumed Sir Chichester Splay, the well-known Baronet is entertaining a small party. At an early hour this morning Mrs. Croyle, one of Sir Chichester's guests, died under strange circumstances."
Miranda uttered a little scream.