Fawkes paused for breath and darted a second furtive glance at Paul.
"Proceed, Fawkes," directed the latter. "What was the end of the episode?"
"Well, sir, Flamby answered her back, but it's not for me to repeat what she said...."
"Since the story is evidently known to the whole countryside, you need have no scruples about the matter, Fawkes. What did Lady James say to Flamby?"
"She says, 'You're a low, vulgar creature!' And Flamby says, 'Perhaps I am,' she says, 'but I ain't afraid to tell anybody where I spend my week-ends!'"
"Ah," interrupted Paul, hurriedly, "you should not have repeated that, Fawkes; but I am to blame. See to it that you are more discreet in future."
"Yes, sir," said Fawkes, all downcast immediately. "Shall I tell you what happened to the fox, sir?"
"Yes, you might tell me what happened to the fox."
"Flamby had him locked in the tool-shed, sir!"
He uttered the words as a final, crushing indictment, and ventured a swift look at Paul in order to note its effect. Paul's face was expressionless, however, as a result of the effort to retain his composure.