His lordship proceeded to soak a sponge without further parley; but as he carried his dripping burden across the room Molly recovered. She tried weakly to free herself.
Jimmy helped her to a chair. He had dropped the necklace on the floor, and Lord Dreever nearly trod on it.
“What ho!” observed his lordship, picking it up. “Go easy with the jewellery!”
Jimmy was bending over Molly. Neither of them seemed to be aware of his lordship’s presence. Spennie was the sort of person whose existence is apt to be forgotten. Jimmy had had a flash of intuition. For the first time it occurred to him that Mr. McEachern might have hinted to Molly something of his own suspicions.
“Molly, dear,” he said, “it isn’t what you think. I can explain everything. Do you feel better now? Can you listen? I can explain everything.”
“Pitt, old boy,” protested his lordship, “you don’t understand. We aren’t going to give you away. We’re all——”
Jimmy ignored him.
“Molly, listen,” he said.
She sat up.
“Go on, Jimmy,” she said.