Richard settled himself comfortably with a sigh of satisfaction and the three men turned to look at him.
"Don't blame me," he said sweetly, "I never said there was a map, did
I?"
Out of the corner of his eye he saw Auriole with a flush of what might easily have been taken for pleasure on her cheeks. It was very perplexing.
"Hm!" Van Diest nodded. "Hm! A wise man keep this sort of informations in his head."
"'Course he does."
"Yes, yes. Mr. Barraclough, a great deal you oblige by coming with us to an apartment we have prepared for your receptions."
"It's nice of you but I'm very comfortable here."
"I'm afraid we must insist."
"Since you're so pressing."
"And as a gentleman you make no troubles—no noise."