“And am I to leave you alone?” said the sergeant.
“Yes.”
“Is it safe?” the non-commissioned officer asked quietly.
“Curse you, what do you mean?” cried the lawyer.
“Well,” said the other easily, “I see you have Connor with you, a notorious thief and blackmailer.”
The lawyer was dumb.
“And Bat Sands. How d’ye do, Bat? How did they treat you in Borstal, or was it Parkhurst?” drawled the sergeant. “And there’s the gentle Lamby trying hard to look military in an overcoat too large for him. That’s not the uniform you’re used to wearing, Lamby, eh?”
From the group of men at the door came a genuinely amused laugh.
“Guard the outer door, one of you chaps,” said the sergeant, and turning again to Spedding’s men, “Here we have our respected friend Curt Goyle.”
He stooped and picked up a bag that Bat had placed gingerly on the floor.