He tilted his chin a little and put his hands in his pockets. A distant dog barked three times. With a supreme effort I clung to my senses.

“Do you mean all,” I whispered, “including Faith?”

Faith was the least attractive of the three triplets.

“All or none,” he said.

He pulled out his watch.

I could hear it ticking.

“Why did you do that?” I asked.

“I’m giving you a minute,” he said, “in which to decide.”

Faint though I was, I staggered to my feet.

“Then as a Xtian,” I said, “no less than a gentleman——”