She was thrust somewhat unceremoniously out of the way. North went down on his knee, gathered Helen into his arms, and rose with her. "Open the door!" he ordered curtly. Over his shoulder he said: "I went to see a friend of mine on the evening of the 17th. You can verify that. Peter Mallard, 17 Crombie Street. Thanks, Sally: I shan't need your assistance."
The next instant he was gone, leaving his sister-in-law meekly to shut the door behind him.
Neville covered his eyes with his hand. "Drama in the home! Oh, my God, can you beat it? He thought she did it, and she thought he did it, in the best Lyceum tradition. And they performed their excruciating antics on empty stomachs!"
"Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me!" suddenly announced Glass. "They will deceive every one of his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies!"
"You know, I won't say that I don't appreciate Malachi," remarked Neville critically, "but you must admit that he has a paralysing effect on conversation."
Hannasyde said briefly: "You can wait in the hall, Glass."
"Rebellion," said Glass, is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is an iniquity and idolatry. Therefore I will depart as I am bidden."
Hannasyde refused to be drawn into any sort of retort, merely waiting in cold silence until Glass had left the room. Neville said: "I wish you'd brought the Sergeant. You don't understand how to play up to Malachi a bit."
"I have no wish to play up to him," replied Hannasyde. "Miss Drew, when your sister feels well enough to see me, I want to have a short talk with her."
"All right," said Sally, lighting another cigarette.