"That's all jolly fine," objected Anthony, "but what brought him up here trying to murder Collins? Just natural high spirits?"
"I didn't want to murder him!" Mark said, looking_ frightened. "I didn't mean to fire."
Mr. Amberley, who had stood silently watching, spoke at last. "You had better apologise to Mr. Fountain," he said. "You've made a fool of yourself."
Fountain glanced quickly towards him. "Do you know him, Amberley?"
"Slightly. This condition is more or less habitual to him."
"Good Lord! Well, I don't want to be hard on the boy. What do you think I ought to do? Give him in charge or let him go?"
"Personally, I should let him go," said Amberley. "But it's a matter for you to decide."
"Well, I don't know. After all, he might have killed Collins."
The valet gave a little cough. "I'm sure I do not wish to get the young gentleman into trouble, sir. When he comes to himself he will realise that he has been behaving foolishly."
Mark, looking uncertainly from him to Fountain, said: "I didn't mean to do it. I made a - a mistake. I'm sorry."