Julius Rohscheimer began to turn purple. He spluttered furiously, ere gaining command of speech.
"Is this a free country?" came in a hoarse roar. "If a man ain't out buildin' hospitals for beggars does he have to be held up——"
He caught Mrs. Rohscheimer's glance, laden with entreaty.
"Good Lord!" he concluded, weakly. "Isn't it funny!"
Baron Hague was understood to growl that he should no longer feel safe until back to Berlin he had gone.
"I am told," said Mr. Antony Elschild, "that a new Séverac Bablon outrage is anticipated by the authorities."
That loosed the flood-gates. A dozen voices were asking at once: "Have you received a card?"
It seemed that this was a matter which had lain at the back of each mind; that each had feared to broach; that each, now, was glad to discuss. An extraordinary and ominous circumstance, then, was now brought to light.
A note had been received by each of the capitalists present, stating that £1,000,000 was urgently needed by the British Government for the establishment of an aerial fleet. That was all. But the notes all bore a certain seal.
"How many of us"—Julius Rohscheimer's coarse voice rose above them all—"have got these notes?"