"I will be--extremely careful. May I take it that you are of opinion that there is no foundation for what Jim Baker believes?"
"What on earth have I to do with what Jim Baker believes or with what he chooses to make you think he believes?"
"Precisely; I am not connecting you with his belief in any way whatever. What I am asking is, are you of opinion that he has no ground for his belief?"
"How should I know what ground he has or thinks he has? That fellow's mind--what he has of it--is like a rabbit warren, all twists and turns."
The speaker had risen from his chair. Possibly with some intention of showing that he did not find the theme a pleasant one, he had taken down a billiard cue. The lawyer watched him as he prepared to make a shot.
"Morice, do you know to what conclusion you are driving me?"
"I don't know, and I don't care. Come and have a game."
"Thank you, I don't mind. But first, I should like to tell you what that conclusion is. You are forcing me to think that Jim Baker's belief is yours."
Mr Morice did not make his shot. Instead, he stood up straight, gripping his cue almost as if he meant to use it as a weapon.
"Gilbert!"