He went straight up to his cousin, who turned round at hearing his step, and said in a very low voice, and quickly:
"Let me see you in your study alone for a moment. It is urgent!"
And the Home Secretary, glancing up hurriedly with a half-frightened look, said, "Yes? Certainly! Come."
[CHAPTER FIVE]
Lord Galton stood by the Home Secretary in his study, looked round suddenly, and said, "May I lock the door?" locked it without leave and then came back and began talking.
The young fellow talked as impressively as ever he had talked when he was giving instructions to a jockey, or rather, to the go-between who took the risk. He knew how to talk, as do most men who are successful in giving instructions to jockeys. His sentences came, weighty, short, decisive, and each had its effect. Men said he would have done well in the House of Commons, but the men who have said that do not know the House of Commons. Yes, he would have done well in the House of Commons: not by oratory, but by what I may call the Attaboy side of his character. He began:
"Humphrey, I'm going to tell you about the emerald. I think I know where it is."
The Home Secretary looked up, startled; but he did not interrupt.
"I want to begin by saying that I know I am myself under suspicion."