“We can soon settle that for you,” said Freddie. “I’ll take it out of the case and you can handle it.”
Westenhanger broke in with a violence which surprised them all.
“Paws off, Freddie! Don’t lay a finger on it!”
He laid a rough hand on Freddie’s shoulder and drew him back from the cabinet. Then, noticing their surprise, he went on in a milder tone.
“Mr. Dangerfield refused to allow any of us to touch it, the night he showed it to us. He objects to it being handled. That’s enough for me. We can’t go against his wishes behind his back. Understand?”
Freddie acquiesced sulkily. Mrs. Caistor Scorton relieved the strain by looking at her watch and discovering that she had something to do. As they left the room, Westenhanger lagged behind with Eileen for a moment.
“Keep her in sight at any cost. I’m going up to my room for a moment. I’ll join you again.”
When he returned, he found Eileen standing at the main entrance with Freddie Stickney. Mrs. Caistor Scorton had disappeared.
“Shall we go now?” Westenhanger asked the girl. She nodded and they shook off Freddie without much difficulty. He supposed they were going to play tennis. Eileen led the way down into the gardens.
“She went off almost as soon as you went upstairs,” she told Westenhanger, as they hurried along. “I stood at the door and watched the road she took. We ought to make up on her in a moment or two if we hurry.”