Ernie met him coming back from the bath-room, a towel over his arm.
Royal did not meet the eyes of his enemy.
"Have a taxi at the door at 6.45," he ordered.
"Yes, sir," answered Ernie.
A few minutes before that hour the Captain rang for the lift. Ernie found him waiting on the landing with his suitcase and took him down.
In the hall Royal, with averted shoulder, thrust a sovereign towards him.
"Here!"
Ernie flared white, and swept the outstretched hand aside with a gesture that was almost a blow.
"Never!" he cried.
For the second time the two men's eyes met and clashed; and in a flash Ernie knew that he had conquered. The Captain had run up the sullen flag of spiritual catastrophe.