"Let me recommend you to study myself, then: to my mind, a perfect pattern of patience."
Lanyard offered the cigarettes in an unfamiliar case which he had found in his pockets, and when they were disdained philosophically helped himself, while the woman sat glowering at the door as if to wither the object of her spite, wherever he might lurk beyond those walls.
"That animal of a doctor! how dare he be so sly with me and at the same time such an imbecile?"
"Oh, very well!" said Lanyard, settling into the chair: "by all means let us begin with that good Dr. Bright. What has he done?"
"He came to me an hour ago, Michael, to put me on my guard against you."
"Considerate beggar. But do go on . . ."
"The idiot would like to make love to me. He thought he might worm into my good graces by warning me to keep an eye on my jewels, since it has transpired that you were the Lone Wolf."
"And since when has that transpired—?"
"He told me that the captain had been advised by wireless, early this morning, to keep you under observation until we arrive at Nassau; where officers will board the vessel with a warrant for your arrest."
"Something to do with the missing necklace, of course."