“Did you see Captain Dillon talk with a man at another table this evening?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Did you see the man?”
“Certainly.”
“Could you identify him if you were to see him again?”
“Yes, yes, surely! But why——”
“Have a look.”
Nick removed his disguise and thrust it into his pocket.[{25}]
Garland swayed unsteadily, staring with wide, dilated eyes and twitching lips. He did not speak for a moment. He seemed to be trying to grasp the situation, to take in the full significance of what Nick had said, and evidently had done. He made a desperate effort to steady himself, clenching his hands till the nails ate into the palms.
Then, suddenly, he hurled his cigarette into the fireplace and spoke with a sort of fierce composure, as a man might who had clutched his heart with his hand and held it with an iron grip.