Littimer rose to his feet and rang the bell.
"You will be good enough to rid me of your hateful presence," he said, "at once; now go."
But Henson still stood irresolute. He fidgeted from one foot to the other. He seemed to have some trouble that he could find no expression for.
"I want to go away," he murmured. "I want to leave the country. But at the present moment I am practically penniless. If you would advance me—"
Littimer laughed aloud.
"Upon my word," he said, "your coolness is colossal. I am going to prosecute you, I am doing my best to bring you into the dock. And you ask me—me, of all men—to find you money so that you can evade justice! Have you not had enough—are you never satisfied? Williams, will you see Mr. Henson off the premises?"
The smiling Williams bowed low.
"With the greatest possible pleasure, my lord," he said. "Any further orders, my lord?"
"And he is not to come here again, you understand." Williams seemed to understand perfectly. With one backward sullen glance Henson quitted the room and passed into the night with his companion. Williams was whistling cheerfully, with his hands thrust deep into his pockets.
"Is that how you treat a gentleman?" Henson demanded.