“Have you been looking into the matter?” asked Dick provokingly calm.
“Yes, I have, and in consequence I have scarcely enjoyed my Christmas at home,” cried Alan.
“Not even with the most charming girl in the world?”
“No. Because she asks questions, and I have to keep a great deal from her.”
“On account of her uncle?”
“Precisely!”
“Hum! Is he guilty?”
“I don’t know. Anyway he has the peacock.”
Latimer pushed back his chair and let his pipe fall. “What?”
“He has the peacock. I’ve seen it, and what is more he allowed me to make a drawing of it,” and Alan fumbled among his papers for the sketch. “Here it is, Dicky!”