“Well, I am a crack shot,” said Ludovic, smiling most disarmingly up at her.
“Talking of crack shots,” said Sir Hugh, “what was the name of the fellow who put out all the candles in the big chandelier at Mrs Archer’s once? There were fifteen of them, and he never missed one!”
“Fifteen?” said Ludovic. “Sixteen!”
“Fifteen was what I was told. He did it for a wager.”
“That’s true enough, but I tell you there were sixteen candles!”
Sir Hugh shook his head. “You’ve got that wrong. Fifteen.”
“Damn it, I ought to know!” said Ludovic. “I did it!”
“You did it?” Sir Hugh regarded him with renewed interest. “You mean to tell me you are the man who shot the wicks off fifteen candles at Mrs Archer’s?”
“I shot the wicks off sixteen candles!” said Ludovic.
“Well, all I can say is that it was devilish fine shooting,” said Sir Hugh. “But are you sure you have the figure right? I rather fancy fifteen was the number.”