"Did you think my Alexis was an anarchist?" cried Leonora. "You are the stupidest of Englishmen."
It was obvious that Alberan did not like this. He glanced at a thin gold watch that he carried in his waistcoat pocket.
"I will not interrupt you any longer," he remarked gravely. "You are quite occupied, I see, and I much apologize for intruding."
"Don't be still more stupid," she said lazily. "Sit down. Tell me how you like the idea of never dying."
"I am afraid I cannot entertain the idea seriously." He hesitated and then looked firmly at Sarakoff. "Do I understand, sir, that you have actually put some germ into the Birmingham water-supply?"
The Russian nodded.
"You'll hear about it in a day or two," he said quietly.
"You had permission to do this?"
"No, I had no permission."
"Are you aware that you are making a very extraordinary statement, sir?"