Beaton had gone red, then white; and now one felt that something must have happened to the muscles of his face, its expression seemed to have become so set and rigid. Major Reith, who was the oldest man present, broke the silence.
"Dodwell, please be careful what you say. Come, Sydney, tell him he is mistaken."
What Beaton said was gasped rather than spoken.
"It's a lie!"
Dodwell's manner continued unruffled. He turned to Draycott.
"Noel, I fancy I caught your eye. Am I wrong in supposing that you also saw what happened?"
"I'm afraid I did."
"You saw Beaton drop one of the three cards he gave himself, and take another off the top of the pack?"
"I'm afraid I did."
As Draycott repeated his former words, Beaton, still on his feet, swinging round, struck him with such violence that the man and the chair on which he was seated both went together to the floor. The thing was so unexpected that it had been done before anyone could interpose. Frank Clifford, who was on the other side of him, caught at Beaton's arm.