"As for Henry," continued Lady Brayle, now with a handkerchief at her lips, "I sometimes think, you know, he must be feeble-minded. According to the maid Phyllis he actually gave money to the gardener—"
"I know! I was there when Phyllis said so!"
"Ah, but for what purpose? The gardener was to go out in the middle of the night — the middle of the night if you. please! — and lower the awning so as to shade the terrace!
"By such acts of stupidity," said Lady Brayle, her voice rising strongly, "does good come about in this world. When you fell, I am informed, the loose canvas of the awning broke your fall like a firemen's whatever-the-term-is. Then the awning ripped, and let you slide through. You have had a most extraordinary escape, Captain Drake."
"The Old Maestro!" Martin said softly.
'Tm afraid I don't understand," said Lady Brayle.
On the bedside table there were cigarettes and his lighter. Martin, in the act of stretching out a painful right arm for them, stopped and looked at her. His glance said, 'Whatever is going on in that twisty brain of his, he saved my life and you know it' Lady Brayle's lofty stare replied: 'Kindly refrain from mentioning objectionable subjects.'
This duel of glances became, as it were, so silently audible that anger gathered round Lady Brayle's mouth. Martin's stare did not fall. Instead Lady Brayle rose up from her chair, shaking shoulders which appeared massive in heavy tweed, and paced up and down the room.
"It may be conceded," said Lady Brayle, "that Henry sometimes possesses the vulgar cunning to outwit criminals."
"Thank you."