"Satisfied of nothing!" he snapped. "The man is out of his wits. I knew that before. We are just where we started!"
Mary's cheeks reddened with generous indignation. "Not quite," she said quickly. "You were going to believe what he said before. I have shown you that he was irresponsible then as well as now. Let me take care of him," she pleaded. "Perhaps I can nurse him back to his senses."
"Thank you," said Sir Bryson with a disagreeable smile, "but I will see that Mr. Garrod has disinterested care."
Mary's eyes widened with alarm. "Not Jean Paul! After what I have shown you!"
Jean Paul had come in, and was bending solicitously over Garrod.
Sir Bryson glanced at them. "You have shown me nothing to his discredit," he said.
"You won't see anything but what you wish to see!" cried Mary indignantly. "Is this your justice, your disinterestedness?"
Sir Bryson lost his temper. "That will do!" he snapped rapping on the table. "I am the master here and I will do as I see fit. The truth is clear to all reasonable people," he went on, his eyes travelling around the circle again. "Of course I understand that to you and your lover——"
He got no further. Linda sprang up like a released bowstring. "It's a lie!" she cried, her small white face working with passion.
"Linda! Linda!" implored Mrs. Worsley, following her aghast.