By this time the household themselves were sufficiently calm to help Brent to his bedroom and Flint to a guest-chamber.
Balcom was about to follow, when Locke, returning from the telephone, touched him on the shoulder and shoved the threat message which Brent had given him the night before under the face of the junior partner.
"Read that," he demanded.
Balcom read, controlling his features admirably, if control were necessary.
"What's the meaning of this?" he demanded, coldly.
"Were you in Madagascar lately?" shot back Locke.
Locke could not be sure whether or not Balcom suppressed a start. At any rate, he did not conceal anger at the insinuation.
"Certainly," he replied. "With my son I cruised through the Mozambique Channel and touched at Madagascar last summer. Why?"
Locke nodded and the detective made a note of the reply.
"What do you mean to insinuate by that question?" demanded Balcom.