‘Not quite to half-a-crown,’ said Nolan, but approximately.’
‘By the way,’ Richard asked, ‘why on earth didn’t you come and assist in putting out the fire?’
‘What! And give myself away?’
‘It might have been a matter of life and death.’
‘Yes, it might have been. Had it got so far, I dare say I should have sacrificed my standing here, my reputation with these people as a simple Irishman, in order to save them. But I knew that you were there, and that you would do all that was necessary.’
‘I only just got into the place in time,’ said Richard sharply.
‘Yes. It is a pity that you burnt your hands.’
‘How do you know that I burnt my hands?’ Richard asked.
‘I can tell by the way you hold them,’ said Nolan.
‘It was worth it,’ said Richard.