"I presume this lady is your wife," he said. "You would hardly speak even to a sister in that tone of voice."
"You are candid, sir," Anstruther said bitterly. "If you knew who I am I have not the slightest doubt----"
"I know perfectly well who you are," Barmouth said quietly. He had quite made up his mind what to do now. "Will you be good enough to step this way for a moment?"
Anstruther followed, until Barmouth reached his own private room. Then he locked the door, and put up the light. "Now that we are face to face and free from interruption," he said, "I am going to speak still more candidly to you. But first let me ask you a question. Why did you decline the invitation of Lady Barmouth on the plea of a severe chill, and then come here afterwards, as if you wanted your presence in the house kept a secret?"
"Really," Anstruther stammered--"really, I cannot recognize your right to cross-examine me like this. In the very unlikely event of your being my host----"
"We will discuss that presently," Barmouth replied. "Permit me to remind you that you have not yet answered my question, Mr. Anstruther. You will not deny your identity?"
Anstruther laughed awkwardly, and, seeing that the game was up, removed his mask and pitched it on the table.
"What I have done is not exactly a crime," he said. "I changed my mind, and came at the last moment."
"At the last moment," Barmouth echoed significantly. "You have been here for the past two hours."
Anstruther moved towards the door. He declared, with some heat, that he would have no more of this, unless the other could prove his right to ask these questions. Barmouth turned away for a moment, and when he faced round again his face was bare of the mask.