“A friend of yours, I think?”
“Of mine?”
The man seemed startled.
“You had a prolonged conversation with him in Johannesburg yesterday.”
“A man came up and questioned me about your movements and those of Colonel Race. I gave him misleading information.”
“Excellent, my dear fellow, excellent,” said Sir Eustace genially. “My mistake.”
I chanced to look at Chichester-Pettigrew as he left the room. He was white to the lips, as though in deadly terror. No sooner was he outside than Sir Eustace picked up a speaking-tube that rested by his elbow and spoke down it.
“That you, Schwart? Watch Minks. He’s not to leave the house without orders.”
He put the speaking-tube down again and frowned, slightly tapping the table with his hand.
“May I ask you a few questions, Sir Eustace,” I said, after a minute or two of silence.