"My friend probably refers to the notice and to the green fluid," said Alan.
"Monsieur," cried Marjorie, "may I guess what the danger is?"
"Hush, Marjorie!" muttered her father.
Monsieur gave her a beautiful smile and a charming bow. "Mademoiselle," he said sweetly, "is welcome to one hundred thousand guesses."
With that there fell a silence. It was broken by Caw.
"If I may say so, Monsoor seems to have forgotten that the clock is the property of Mr. Alan Craig, and therefore—"
"Mr. Caw," said Guidet quickly, "because I remember that, I say what I say; I refuse what I refuse."
"Come, Monsieur," said Alan, "it is an open secret that that clock is more than a time-keeper."
"Myself would almost suspect so much." He said it so quaintly that a smile went round. Caw alone preserved a stolid expression.
"Monsoor," he said very quietly, "I respectfully ask the lady and the gentleman here present to bear witness to a promise which I am ready to put in writing. … If I am alive when that clock stops, about a year hence, I will pay you, Monsoor, a thousand pounds."